Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
 Pyrrhuloxia male |
General Description: Pyrrhuloxias (Cardinalis sinuatus) are medium-sized, sexually similar finches with a very large, yellowish bill. These birds are gray overall with a tall crest and red highlights on the crest, face, wings. and tail. On the bill, the "lip-line" is hooked downward (not straight; compare with Northern Cardinal). Males have more red in the face, crest, and belly than do females. Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Cardinalidae. Favored Habitat: Sonoran Desert scrub, mesquite grasslands, and riparian woodlands. |
 Pyrrhuloxia female |
Where to Find: Don't look for Pyrrhuloxias around Las Vegas. Rather, look for them from southern Arizona to southern Texas and south into Mexico. Comments: Pronounced fair-a-luck-see-a (emphasis on the "luck") |
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Pyrrhuloxia; notice that the "lip-line" on the heavy bill is angled downward relative to the front of the face (compare with Northern Cardinal in which the "lip-line" points straight out). In the Pyrrhuloxia, the angle of the bill is somewhat parrot-like. This distinction is useful for separating females of the two species. |
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If you were a tasty bug or a big seed, this might be the last face you ever see! |
 Pyrrhuloxia male |
 Pyrrhuloxia male |
 Pyrrhuloxia male |
 Pyrrhuloxia male |
 Pyrrhuloxia female |
 Pyrrhuloxia female |
 Pyrrhuloxia female |
 Pyrrhuloxia female |
 Pyrrhuloxia male on a flowering saguaro cactus |
 Pyrrhuloxia female in a paloverde tree |
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