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Cardinalidae - Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Chats, Tanagers, Buntings

There are about 53 species of birds in the Cardinalidae family.

Cardinals and their relatives are medium-sized songbirds with strong, cone-shaped bills that are well suited for cracking seeds. Although many species eat seeds, they also feed on insects, fruits, and berries, especially during the breeding season.

Birds in this family are found throughout North, Central, and South America. They live in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, forests, scrublands, gardens, and the edges of open areas.

In many species, males are more brightly colored than females, often displaying brilliant shades of red, orange, yellow, or blue.

  • The Blue Seedeater is found in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Blue Seedeater
    (Amaurospiza moesta)
    The Blue Seedeater is found in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Northern Cardinal is found in most parts of United States east of the Rocky Mountains. It is also found in parts of Arizona, California, and New Mexico. The range of the cardinal has increased in the last 50 years to include New York and New England. It is now found throughout New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Northern Cardinal
    (Cardinalis cardinalis)
    The Northern Cardinal is found in most parts of United States east of the Rocky Mountains. It is also found in parts of Arizona, California, and New Mexico. The range of the cardinal has increased in the last 50 years to include New York and New England. It is now found throughout New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Vermilion Cardinal is found in Colombia and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Vermilion Cardinal
    (Cardinalis phoeniceus)
    The Vermilion Cardinal is found in Colombia and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Pyrrhuloxias are found in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Pyrrhuloxia
    (Cardinalis sinuatus)
    Pyrrhuloxias are found in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Yellow-green Grosbeak is found in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-green Grosbeak
    (Caryothraustes canadensis)
    The Yellow-green Grosbeak is found in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Crimson-collared Grosbeak is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Crimson-collared Grosbeak
    (Caryothraustes celaeno)
    The Crimson-collared Grosbeak is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Red-and-black Grosbeak is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-and-black Grosbeak
    (Caryothraustes erythromelas)
    The Red-and-black Grosbeak is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Black-faced Grosbeak is found in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-faced Grosbeak
    (Caryothraustes poliogaster)
    The Black-faced Grosbeak is found in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Blue Bunting is found in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Blue Bunting
    (Cyanocompsa parellina)
    The Blue Bunting is found in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Ultramarine Grosbreaks are found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Ultramarine Grosbeak
    (Cyanoloxia brissonii)
    Ultramarine Grosbreaks are found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Blue-black Grosbeak is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Blue-black Grosbeak
    (Cyanoloxia cyanoides)
    The Blue-black Grosbeak is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Glaucous-blue Grosbeak is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Glaucous-blue Grosbeak
    (Cyanoloxia glaucocaerulea)
    The Glaucous-blue Grosbeak is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Amazonian Grosbeak is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Amazonian Grosbeak
    (Cyanoloxia rothschildii)
    The Amazonian Grosbeak is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Tres Marias Chat is found on Mexico’s islands of Madre, Magdalena and Cleofas in the Islas Tres Marias group, off the central Pacific coast of Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: NearThreatened
    Tres Marias Chat
    (Granatellus francescae)
    The Tres Marias Chat is found on Mexico’s islands of Madre, Magdalena and Cleofas in the Islas Tres Marias group, off the central Pacific coast of Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: NearThreatened
  • The Rose-breasted Chat is found in
    Rose-breasted Chat
    (Granatellus pelzelni)
    The Rose-breasted Chat is found in
  • The Gray-throated Chat is found in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Gray-throated Chat
    (Granatellus sallaei)
    The Gray-throated Chat is found in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Red-breasted Chat is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-breasted Chat
    (Granatellus venustus)
    The Red-breasted Chat is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Black-cheeked Ant-tanager is found in Costa Rica. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Black-cheeked Ant-tanager
    (Habia atrimaxillaris)
    The Black-cheeked Ant-tanager is found in Costa Rica. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • Carmiol's Tanager is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Carmiol's Tanager
    (Habia carmioli)
    Carmiol's Tanager is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Crested Ant-tanager is found in Colombia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Crested Ant-tanager
    (Habia cristata)
    The Crested Ant-tanager is found in Colombia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Yellow-lored Tanager is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-lored Tanager
    (Habia frenata)
    The Yellow-lored Tanager is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Red-throated Ant-tanager is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-throated Ant-tanager
    (Habia fuscicauda)
    The Red-throated Ant-tanager is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Sooty Ant-tanager is found in Colombia.IUCNRedlist Status: Least Concern
    Sooty Ant-tanager
    (Habia gutturalis)
    The Sooty Ant-tanager is found in Colombia.IUCNRedlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Lemon-spectacled Tanager is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Lemon-spectacled Tanager
    (Habia olivacea)
    The Lemon-spectacled Tanager is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Red-crowned Ant-tanager is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-crowned Ant-tanager
    (Habia rubica)
    The Red-crowned Ant-tanager is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Ochre-breasted Tanagers are found in Colombia and Ecuador. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Ochre-breasted Tanager
    (Habia stolzmanni)
    Ochre-breasted Tanagers are found in Colombia and Ecuador. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Lazuli Bunting is found in the western U.S. and Canada from southern British Columbia east to North Dakota and south through the western half of the U.S. and into Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Lazuli Bunting
    (Passerina amoena)
    The Lazuli Bunting is found in the western U.S. and Canada from southern British Columbia east to North Dakota and south through the western half of the U.S. and into Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Blue Grosbeak breeds from California, Colorado, Missouri, Illinois, and New Jersey southward. It winters in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The blue grosbeak does not breed in New Hampshire, but occasionally vagrants appear in the state. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Blue Grosbeak
    (Passerina caerulea)
    The Blue Grosbeak breeds from California, Colorado, Missouri, Illinois, and New Jersey southward. It winters in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The blue grosbeak does not breed in New Hampshire, but occasionally vagrants appear in the state. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Painted Bunting is found in two breeding ranges. The western population is found from Kansas south to Louisiana and Texas. The eastern population is found in the coastal regions of North Carolina south to northern Florida. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Painted Bunting
    (Passerina ciris)
    The Painted Bunting is found in two breeding ranges. The western population is found from Kansas south to Louisiana and Texas. The eastern population is found in the coastal regions of North Carolina south to northern Florida. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Indigo Buntings breed throughout eastern North America from the Great Plains eastward. They winter in Mexico, Central America, northern South America and the Caribbean. The indigo bunting breeds in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Indigo Bunting
    (Passerina cyanea)
    Indigo Buntings breed throughout eastern North America from the Great Plains eastward. They winter in Mexico, Central America, northern South America and the Caribbean. The indigo bunting breeds in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Orange-breasted Bunting is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Orange-breasted Bunting
    (Passerina leclancherii)
    The Orange-breasted Bunting is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Rose-bellied Bunting is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Rose-bellied Bunting
    (Passerina rositae)
    The Rose-bellied Bunting is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The Varied Bunting breeds in parts of southwestern Texas and Arizona and northern Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Varied Bunting
    (Passerina versicolor)
    The Varied Bunting breeds in parts of southwestern Texas and Arizona and northern Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Black-backed Grosbeaks are found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-backed Grosbeak
    (Pheucticus aureoventris)
    Black-backed Grosbeaks are found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Golden-bellied Grosbeak is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Golden-bellied Grosbeak
    (Pheucticus chrysogaster)
    The Golden-bellied Grosbeak is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Yellow Grosbeak is found in Guatemala and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow Grosbeak
    (Pheucticus chrysopeplus)
    The Yellow Grosbeak is found in Guatemala and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Rose-breasted Grosbeak breeds from northeastern British Columbia east to Nova Scotia and south to North Dakota, Oklahoma, Missouri, Ohio, West Virginia, and New Jersey. The rose-breasted grosbeak breeds in New Hampshire. It winters in Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rose-breasted Grosbeak
    (Pheucticus ludovicianus)
    The Rose-breasted Grosbeak breeds from northeastern British Columbia east to Nova Scotia and south to North Dakota, Oklahoma, Missouri, Ohio, West Virginia, and New Jersey. The rose-breasted grosbeak breeds in New Hampshire. It winters in Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Black-headed Grosbeaks are found throughout most of western North America, from the Pacific to the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-headed Grosbeak
    (Pheucticus melanocephalus)
    Black-headed Grosbeaks are found throughout most of western North America, from the Pacific to the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Black-thighed Grosbeaks are found in Costa Rica and Panama. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-thighed Grosbeak
    (Pheucticus tibialis)
    Black-thighed Grosbeaks are found in Costa Rica and Panama. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Flame-colored Tanager is found in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. It is occasionally seen in New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Flame-colored Tanager
    (Piranga bidentata)
    The Flame-colored Tanager is found in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. It is occasionally seen in New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Red-headed Tanager is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-headed Tanager
    (Piranga erythrocephala)
    The Red-headed Tanager is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Red Tanager is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, and Uruguay. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red Tanager
    (Piranga flava)
    The Red Tanager is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, and Uruguay. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Hepatic Tanager breeds in the southwestern United States. It winters in Mexico, Central America, and South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Hepatic Tanager
    (Piranga flava)
    The Hepatic Tanager breeds in the southwestern United States. It winters in Mexico, Central America, and South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The White-winged Tanager is found in Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-winged Tanager
    (Piranga leucoptera)
    The White-winged Tanager is found in Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Western Tanager breeds in the western United States and Canada. It winters in Mexico and Central America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Western Tanager
    (Piranga ludoviciana)
    The Western Tanager breeds in the western United States and Canada. It winters in Mexico and Central America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Scarlet Tanager is found in southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. The scarlet tanager breeds in New Hampshire. It winters in South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Scarlet Tanager
    (Piranga olivacea)
    The Scarlet Tanager is found in southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. The scarlet tanager breeds in New Hampshire. It winters in South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Rose-throated Tanager is found in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rose-throated Tanager
    (Piranga roseogularis)
    The Rose-throated Tanager is found in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Summer Tanager breeds in the southern United States and northern Mexico and winters from southern Mexico through Central America to northern and central South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Summer Tanager
    (Piranga rubra)
    The Summer Tanager breeds in the southern United States and northern Mexico and winters from southern Mexico through Central America to northern and central South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Red-hooded Tanager is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-hooded Tanager
    (Piranga rubriceps)
    The Red-hooded Tanager is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Dickcissel is found in the central United States from North Dakota south to Texas and east to Ohio and Tennessee and Alabama. It winters from southern Mexico to South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Dickcissel
    (Spiza americana)
    The Dickcissel is found in the central United States from North Dakota south to Texas and east to Ohio and Tennessee and Alabama. It winters from southern Mexico to South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

The Indigo Bunting is one of the species found in this family.
The Indigo Bunting is one of the species found in this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

Blue Grosbeak - Passerina caeruleaLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Dickcissel - Spiza americanaLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyaneaLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalisLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak - Pheucticus ludovicianusLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Scarlet Tanager - Piranga olivaceaLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America

Other Species Around the World

Pyrrhuloxia - Cardinalis sinuatusLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Western Tanager - Piranga ludovicianaLeast ConcernNorth/Central America

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