Cardinals are a familiar backyard bird across much of the United States, with their bright red plumage and distinctive crest. However, their range is limited mostly to east of the Rocky Mountains. So do these colorful songbirds make their home in the San Francisco Bay Area?
Quick Answers
Yes, there are cardinals found in the Bay Area, but they are very rare and localized. The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), the typical red-crested cardinal found widely across eastern North America, is virtually absent west of the Sierra Nevada range. However, a subspecies called the pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) is occasionally spotted in parts of the Bay Area, particularly near the Central Valley. This bird looks very similar to the northern cardinal but has more gray on its wings and tail.
The Bay Area lies at the very western extreme of the pyrrhuloxia’s range. These cardinals prefer open, arid habitats rather than the dense woodlands found around San Francisco. They are a very rare sight, but birders have spotted them in areas like Alameda Creek and Coyote Hills Regional Park. So while not common, it is possible to find an occasional cardinal in the Bay Area. But don’t expect to see flocks of them at your backyard feeder here like you would in the Midwest or East Coast.
What is the difference between a northern cardinal and a pyrrhuloxia?
The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) and pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) were once considered a single species but are now classified as two distinct, closely related species. Here are some key differences:
Range
– Northern cardinal: Ranges across eastern North America from southeastern Canada south to Texas and Florida. Also introduced to Hawaii and southern California.
– Pyrrhuloxia: Ranges through the southwestern U.S. and Mexico in arid habitats. Reaches its northwestern limits in central California.
Appearance
– Male northern cardinals are bright crimson red overall with a short crest and red bill.
– Male pyrrhuloxias have gray feathers mixed in, especially on wings and tail. Their bills are more orange-reddish.
– Females of both species are brownish-gray with reddish accents, making identification more challenging.
Habitat
– Northern cardinals prefer woodland edges, thickets, gardens. Found in wetter regions.
– Pyrrhuloxias inhabit open desert scrub, chaparral, washes. Tolerate hot and arid conditions.
Behavior
– Northern cardinals are vocal and conspicuous backyard birds in their range.
– Pyrrhuloxias are shyer and less inclined to visit bird feeders in urban areas.
So in summary, pyrrhuloxias can best be distinguished from northern cardinals by their drier southwestern range, grayer plumage, and preference for open desert habitats. Where their ranges overlap, the species rarely hybridize.
What are some key identifying features of a pyrrhuloxia?
Here are some tips for identifying a pyrrhuloxia:
Size and shape:
– About the same size as a northern cardinal, 8.5-9.5 inches long. Large crested finch.
– Plump body, short tail, thick pointed bill.
Plumage:
– Male has grayish feathers mixed with red on wings, tail, back. Reddest on head, chest, and below.
– Female is pale gray-brown overall with faded red-orange accents.
– Juvenile starts out gray-brown like female.
Head
– Short peaked crest on top of head.
– Thick red/orange conical bill.
– Black face mask/throat.
Behaviors:
– Skulking and shy, not as conspicuous as northern cardinals.
– Call is lower-pitched, gravelly “whee-ooo” or “curlee” sound.
– Found alone or in small groups, often foraging low in bushes.
So in summary, look for a large but skulking finch with a crest, thick bill, black face, and patchy red-gray plumage in arid southwest habitats. The male’s mostly gray wings and tail with red accents are a good clue.
Where are cardinals most likely to be found in the Bay Area?
The pyrrhuloxia, the only cardinal species found in the Bay Area, is a very rare and localized sighting. But here are a few locations where birders have occasionally spotted them:
Alameda County:
– Coyote Hills Regional Park: Occasional sightings in open grasslands with brush.
– Alameda Creek Regional Trail: Rare along creek corridor and adjacent arid habitats.
Contra Costa County:
– Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve: Very rare sightings in chaparral and grasslands.
– Antioch Dunes: Possible near this unique arid habitat along river.
Santa Clara County:
– Pajaro River valley: Rare observations where valley approaches Bay.
– Santa Teresa County Park: May stray into drier interior hillsides.
Marin County:
– Las Gallinas ponds/drainage: Single unreliable report from 1980s. Very unlikely here.
So in summary, the sparse pyrrhuloxia reports come from natural areas near the Central Valley or with arid microclimates. They are unlikely to be found at heavily wooded parks or urban areas along the peninsula and closer to the coast. But patient birders may luck into one at hot, dry interior habitats.
What kind of habitat and climate do pyrrhuloxias prefer?
The pyrrhuloxia has very specific habitat preferences:
Climate:
– Arid deserts and dry open woodlands.
– Tolerates hot climates and lack of water.
– Avoids coastal and wetter mountain regions.
Landscape:
– Desert scrub, chaparral, palm oases, washes.
– Open country with scattered brush and cacti.
– Edges of arroyos and dry riverbeds.
Elevation:
– Below 3000 feet in California.
– Up to 5300 feet in Arizona mountains.
Vegetation:
– Desert shrubs like creosote, palo verde, mesquite.
– Scrub oak, manzanita, juniper stands.
– Yucca, cacti, agave plants.
So in summary, pyrrhuloxias need hot, dry environments with scattered desert woody vegetation. They are well-adapted to the harsh conditions of the southwestern deserts. The Bay Area’s predominantly coastal forests do not offer much suitable habitat.
What kind of food do pyrrhuloxias eat?
Pyrrhuloxias are omnivorous and eat a varied diet:
Plant Foods:
– Seeds and grains from grasses, weeds, shrubs.
– Fruits and berries such as hackberries, mistletoe, yucca.
– Sap and cambium of trees.
– Cactus fruits and pads.
Animal Prey:
– Insects like beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars.
– Snails, lizards, small frogs.
– Bird eggs and nestlings.
– Spiders, scorpions.
Feeding Behavior:
– Forages on ground and in low vegetation for seeds and insects.
– Males feed females during courtship and nesting.
– Visits feeders for millet and sunflower seeds.
So in summary, pyrrhuloxias are flexible feeders but do most of their foraging on the ground in the desert. They supplement seeds and fruits with protein-rich prey.
When do pyrrhuloxias nest and breed in California?
The nesting season of pyrrhuloxias in California looks like this:
Breeding Season:
– Begins courting as early as late January.
– Nesting from mid-February to August.
– May raise multiple broods.
Nest Site:
– Dense shrub or tree 2-15 feet up from ground.
– Mesquite, palo verde, acacia trees often used.
– Well-hidden in foliage for protection.
Nest Structure:
– Bulky cup 3 inches tall, 4 inches across.
– Sticks, bark strips, grasses, lined with hair.
Eggs:
– 2-4 pale bluish or greenish eggs.
– Marked with brown, gray, or purple spots
Incubation:
– Eggs incubated for 12-13 days by female.
– Male feeds female while she incubates.
So in summary, pyrrhuloxias often raise multiple broods in a long nesting season centered on the spring and summer in California. The well-hidden nests are built low in desert scrub.
How many different vocalizations do pyrrhuloxias have?
Pyrrhuloxias have a varied repertoire of vocalizations:
Song:
– Distinctive high-low “whee-ooo” or “curlee” sounds.
– Lower pitched and hoarser than northern cardinal song.
– Males sing year-round to defend territory.
Calls:
– Chattering “wicka” notes when alarmed or agitated.
– Short clicking calls among mates and young.
– Whining mews from juveniles when begging.
Nonvocal sounds:
– Wings make whirring noise in flight.
– Snaps bill when threatened.
– Drumming on resonant objects with beak.
So in total, pyrrhuloxias use a combination of whistled songs, calls, mechanical sounds, and physical postures for communication. Their varied vocal repertoire reflects the wide range of messages they need to convey.
Is the pyrrhuloxia’s population under threat or considered endangered?
The pyrrhuloxia remains a relatively common bird across the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. Its conservation status is currently considered stable and of least concern:
Population:
– Estimated global population of 2.8 million.
– Considered common in U.S. desert regions like Arizona.
Population trends:
– Steadily increased in 20th century with habitat change.
– Stable over past few decades across range.
Major threats:
– Climate change altering desert conditions long-term.
– Nest parasitism by cowbirds in some areas.
Conservation actions:
– Some habitat protection where endangered like California.
– Monitored and managed for sustainability in national parks.
Legal protection:
– Not listed as threatened or endangered.
– Protected under Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
So while the pyrrhuloxia faces threats from climate change and other factors, its overall population remains healthy across the southwestern deserts. Targeted conservation efforts can help maintain suitable habitat for this iconic species at the edge of its range.
Conclusion
In summary, the pyrrhuloxia is an elusive bird rarely seen in the Bay Area, preferring hot and arid habitats absent from the region. But birders may be lucky enough to spot this southwestern species on occasion in dry interior parks and preserves, especially near the Central Valley. While not considered endangered, the pyrrhuloxia relies on intact desert ecosystems vulnerable to climate change and other human impacts in the long run. Protecting pockets of suitable scrub habitat can help provide a foothold for small populations of this localized cardinal at the northwest extent of its range. So keep an eye out for a flash of red crest low in the brush on your next hike in Alameda County!