desert cardinal

The desert cardinal, also known as the pyrrhuloxia, is a bird found in the American Southwest's thorn scrub. It is a relative of the northern cardinal but is less showy, appearing as a gray bird with a red mask. Unlike the more familiar northern cardinal, which is known for its bright red plumage and crest, the desert cardinal is more subdued in appearance. The genus Cardinalis, which includes the desert cardinal, also contains other species like the vermilion cardinal. While many birds are referred to as cardinals, those in the genus Cardinalis and Paroaria are generally considered common and not of conservation concern.12