The Masked Cardinal is an incredibly charming bird, boasting a vibrant red hood and throat, a black mask, and white underparts that create a striking contrast. Its eyes are a particularly stunning shade of orange.
Even juveniles of this tanager family species are a joy to behold with their brown, white, and yellow feathers. Its diet consists of small insects, nectar, and fruits, and it is commonly found in savannas, forests, and woodland areas.
Apart from its gorgeous appearance, the Masked Cardinal is also fascinating from a biological perspective. These lovely birds can often be seen in groups of juveniles and adults near water in riverine forests, scrub, and savanna, mostly in lowlands.
They are known to stay close to the ground and don’t soar too high. Their habitats are mainly located in eastern Colombia, northern Venezuela, Trinidad, and Brazil in the upper reaches of the Negro River.
Fortunately, the Masked Cardinal does not have to migrate due to seasonal changes as they are blessed with all-year warm lands with high humidity, such as tropical forests. It is worth noting that they were previously considered conspecific with the similar Red-capped Cardinal, but they don’t overlap in range.
The Masked Cardinal is a fascinating bird that measures approximately 16.5 inches in length and weighs 23 grams. Both males and females of the species have a distinctive mask-like marking that gives them an alluring appearance.
They are omnivores and have a diverse diet, consuming everything from fruits and seeds to worms, insects, and small animals. These birds require a significant amount of energy and nutrients to maintain their strength, allowing them to fly and reproduce.
Juveniles of this species are also a sight to behold, with their brown, white, and yellow coverings.
The Masked Cardinal is an intriguing bird, measuring about 16.5 inches in length and weighing 23 grams
Cardinal birds have beautiful and distinctive songs that are silvery and singsong. During mating season (June to November), they sing to their mates and build their nests in tree branches at heights of 2.5-5.5 meters.
The female bird then lays two eggs. Despite the presence of the shiny cowbird, which sometimes parasitizes their nest, cardinals are a pleasure to listen to!
They are omnivorous and can enjoy a varied diet – from fruits and seeds to worms, insects and small animals.
During mating season (June to November), they sing to their mates and build their nests in tree branches at heights of 2.5-5.5 meters.
These birds need lots of energy and nutrients to maintain their strength, enabling them to spread their wings and reproduce.
The female bird then lays two eggs.
The Masked Cardinal is categorized as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that they are not currently at risk of extinction. If you are planning a trip to the Americas and wish to appreciate these stunning birds, make sure to share this article with your fellow bird enthusiasts.
Source: https://dailysquared.com/
