Family Cardinalidae - Cardinals and Kin

Cardinalidae (sometimes referred to as the "cardinal-grosbeaks" or simply the "cardinals") is a family of New World-endemic passerine birds that consists of cardinals, grosbeaks, and buntings. It also includes several other genera such as the tanager-like Piranga and the warbler-like Granatellus. Membership of this family is not easily defined by a single or even a set of physical characteristics, but instead by molecular work. Among songbirds, they range from average-sized to relatively large, and have stout features, some species with large, heavy bills.

Members of this group are beloved for their brilliant red, yellow, or blue plumages seen in many of the breeding males in this family. Most species are monogamous breeders that nest in open-cup nests, with parents taking turns incubating the nest and taking care of their young. Most are arboreal species, although the dickcissel is a ground-dwelling prairie bird.

In terms of conservation, most members of this family are considered least concern by the IUCN Red List, though a few birds, such as the Carrizal seedeater, are considered to be endangered.

In this Gallery

• Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

• Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus)

• Yellow-green Grosbeak (Caryothraustes canadensis)

• Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)

• Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)

• Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) USA

Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) Isla Catalina, Baja Mexico

Yellow-green Grosbeak (Caryothraustes canadensis) Alfonso Claudio, Espirito Santo, Brazil

Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) Southwestern USA

Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) Davis Mountains State Park, Texas (female)

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) Illinois