ANIMALS – BIRDS – SONGBIRDS – RED-CRESTED CARDINAL (PAROARIA CORONATA)

Animals - Birds - Songbirds

Red-crested cardinal (Paroaria coronata)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Thraupidae
Genus : Paroaria
Species : P. Coronata

Description:

The Red-crested cardinal (Paroaria coronata) is a songbird with a prominent red head and crest. Some disagreement exists as to whether this species belongs in the family of the tanagers (Thraupidae) or the buntings (Emberizidae, known in North America as sparrows). Notwithstanding its similar name, this bird is not closely related to the true cardinal family (Cardinalidae). It is called the Red Kramer, named after the character on Seinfeld, due to its similar "hairdo".

It is found in northern Argentina, Bolivia, southern Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and heavily degraded former forest. Among other regions, it is found in southern part of the Pantanal.

It has also been introduced to Hawaii and Puerto Rico. In Brazil, it has been introduced to various places outside its historical range, as in the Tietê Ecological Park in São Paulo, alongside its very similar-looking close relative, the red-cowled cardinal (P. dominicana).

The yellow-billed cardinal (P. capitata) could be easily confused with the red-crested cardinal; both the red-cowled and yellow-billed have a very short crest that is not visible except in excited birds, and in the case of the latter, a black throat, darker upper parts and a bright yellow bill.

Binomial Name:

Name : Amblyramphus holosericeus
Taxonomist : Gerrit Smith Miller, Jr (Peterboro - United States)
Year : 1776
Subspecies : None or not data available
Synonyms : None or not data available

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Least Concern

Has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as evaluated but not qualified for any other category. As such they do not qualify as threatened, near threatened, or (prior to 2001) conservation dependent.

Philatelic Issues

2015 - Uruguay - Stamp 1 of 4, from Spring Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: August 31st, 2012
Printed: 15.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 15

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 39 mm. x 27 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated