General

Yellow-billed Cardinal: Native to South America. It is a medium-sized slim cardinal with a bright red head; upperparts are black except for an incomplete collar that nearly meets at the back of the neck. Underparts are white except for black chin and throat. Bill is yellow and legs and feet are brown-pink. Has a somewhat rounded tail; bill is longer than it is deep with a gentle curve and a fine point. Female has gray upperparts, white underparts and a brown head. Juveniles are brown above and have an orange-brown head and throat.

Range and Habitat

Yellow-billed Cardinal: Introduced to the island of Hawaii, where they are commonly found along the Kona Coast. Native to Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Argentina. They are usually found in shrubs and open areas near marshes, lakes, and rivers. They are also found on the edges of woodlands and forests.

Breeding and Nesting

Yellow-billed Cardinal: Two, sometimes three white eggs with brown streaks are laid in a deep cup-shaped nest in trees or close to the ground in shrubbery. Incubation takes 13 to 14 days and is done by the female. Chicks fledge within 10 to 12 days of hatching.

Foraging and Feeding

Yellow-billed Cardinal: These cardinals feed on a variety of seeds, fruit, insects and some flowers. They can be seen foraging on the ground hunting for seeds. Typically they forage in pairs or small groups on the ground.

Readily Eats

Fruit, Seeds

Vocalization

Yellow-billed Cardinal: Call is a single, squeaky note. Song is a soft "wheet-cheer-up".

Similar Species

Yellow-billed Cardinal: Red-crested Cardinal has a red crest, gray upperparts and red chin, throat, and upper breast.