The pyrrhuloxia is a bird belonging to the cardinal family that is found in parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. The female pyrrhuloxia has a distinctive appearance that differs slightly from the male. Here is an overview of what a female pyrrhuloxia looks like.
Size and Shape
The female pyrrhuloxia is approximately 8 to 9.5 inches in length. It has a thick, cone-shaped bill that is pale gray, almost white, in color. The body shape of a female pyrrhuloxia is plump and round compared to other birds. The plump body shape along with the large conical bill gives it a distinctive profile.
Plumage
The female pyrrhuloxia lacks the bright red plumage of the male and is mostly gray in color. The head, neck, back, and chest of the female are a pale gray. The wings and tail are a darker gray. The most distinctive plumage difference between males and females is that females lack the bright red mask and crest that males have.
Female pyrrhuloxias do have a touch of reddish-orange on the outer tail feathers and on the shoulder area right above the wing. However, the reddish tint is much duller and less extensive than on the male.
Beak and Feet
As mentioned previously, the beak of the female pyrrhuloxia is a distinctive pale gray or whitish color. In comparison, the male has a bright orange-red colored bill.
The feet and legs are blackish-gray. The eyes are brown. So in summary, the non-feathered parts of a female pyrrhuloxia consist of a pale gray bill, blackish legs and feet, and brown eyes.
Juvenile Appearance
Juvenile female pyrrhuloxias look different than adult females. Juveniles of both sexes have mostly brownish-gray plumage instead of the pale gray of adult females. The reddish-orange hues on the shoulders and tail feathers are much more muted in juveniles as well.
Juvenile birds molt into adult plumage at around 3 to 4 months of age. So if you see a pyrrhuloxia that is mostly brownish-gray, it is likely a juvenile.
Range and Habitat
The pyrrhuloxia is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Its range extends south from southeastern Arizona, southern and western New Mexico, and western Texas down through central and coastal areas of Mexico.
It occupies desert and brush habitats within this range. Some typical habitats include:
- Chaparral
- Mesquite grassland
- Pine-oak woodlands
- River groves and washes
The pyrrhuloxia tends to avoid densely forested areas and instead prefers open habitats with brush, shrubs, and small trees.
Behavior and Feeding
The pyrrhuloxia is mostly a non-migratory species. Those living in the northern parts of the range may migrate short distances in winter. Further south they are year-round residents.
Pyrrhuloxias stick to their home territory throughout the year and do not travel far. They are often seen perched prominently on top of shrubs or small trees within their territory.
Their diet consists mainly of seeds and fruits. Typical food sources are seeds from desert trees and shrubs, berries, acorns, and grain. They use their sturdy conical bill to crack open seeds. They also eat some insects such as beetles and ants.
Nesting
Pyrrhuloxias form monogamous breeding pairs that mate for life. The breeding season runs from March to August with a peak in April to June.
The female builds the nest out of twigs, grasses, and sometimes cactus fibers. It is an open cup placed in a shrub or small tree usually around 3 to 12 feet above ground. The clutch size is typically 2 to 4 eggs.
The eggs are pale blue or blue-gray with reddish-brown splotches. The female incubates the eggs for 12 to 13 days before they hatch. Both parents help feed the young. The juveniles leave the nest at about 2 weeks old but remain dependent on the parents for another 2 to 3 weeks.
Voice and Sounds
The most common vocalization of a female pyrrhuloxia is a series of high-pitched descending whistles. It sounds like “whee-hee-hee-heeoo” and is used to defend territory and communicate with their mate.
Females may also make clicking and chattering sounds. When feeding fledglings, the female uses a rapid “pit-pit-pit” call. So listening for these higher-pitched whistling and clicking calls can help identify that a pyrrhuloxia is a female.
How to Attract Female Pyrrhuloxias
Here are some tips to attract female pyrrhuloxias to your yard:
- Provide a source of water like a birdbath, fountain, or small wildlife pond
- Plant native trees and shrubs that produce berries and seeds
- Avoid pesticide use
- Install nest boxes suited for the pyrrhuloxia’s size
- Offer fruit strips, suet, millet, and sunflower seeds
Providing brush piles or areas with dense shrubs gives the birds cover and nesting sites. Water is especially important in their dry desert habitats.
Fun Facts
- The pyrrhuloxia is the official state bird of Arizona.
- They are named after the bird genus Pyrrhula which comes from the Greek word “pyrrhos” meaning flame-colored or red. This refers to the male’s bright red plumage.
- They are part of the cardinal family but lack the crest that cardinals have.
- Pyrrhuloxias are monomorphic – meaning males and females look different from each other.
- They are permanent residents across most of their range, only migrating short distances.
Identification Tips
Here are some key identification tips for recognizing a female pyrrhuloxia:
- Mostly pale gray body plumage
- Orange-red shoulders and wing patches are duller than the male
- Lacks the bright red face mask and crest of the male
- Large pale gray conical bill
- Dark gray legs and feet
- Whistling “whee-hee-hee-heeoo” call
- Found in the southwestern US and Mexico desert regions
Conclusion
The female pyrrhuloxia has a distinct appearance featuring pale gray plumage accented with muted orange-red on the wings and tail. The lack of bright red on the head, crest, and breast separates them from the vividly-colored male. Getting to know their whistled call helps identify the presence of this desert songbird. Observing female and male pyrrhuloxias side-by-side shows the marked differences between the two sexes of this species.