Gubernatrix cristata
The beautiful Yellow Cardinal is the only member of its genus, Gubernatrix (governess), a name based on the Latin word gubernare, which means to command or direct. This title is a nod to the Yellow Cardinal’s striking crest, which reminded taxonomists of the feathered and plumed hats worn by military commanders of that day.
Although the Yellow Cardinal may resemble an oddly-colored Northern Cardinal, it’s not closely related to that species. Like the Red-crested Cardinal, the Yellow Cardinal is not a cardinal at all; rather, it belongs to the huge Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies) family of the Neotropics, the second-largest bird family in the world. This widely varied family contains over 385 bird species in more than 100 genera, including the Scarlet-breasted Dacnis and Golden-backed Mountain Tanager, as well as seedeaters, saltators, and the famous “Darwin’s” finches of the Galápagos Islands.
The Yellow Cardinal is a stunning bird, but its beauty has also made it a target of the illegal cage bird trade. Its numbers have dwindled to a population estimated at no more than 2,000 birds.
Once widespread but now rare and local, the Yellow Cardinal faces an urgent, acute threat from the illegal cage bird trade. It’s also made more vulnerable by the impacts of habitat loss, a threat which is universal among birds.
The Yellow Cardinal’s gorgeous lemon and black plumage has made it the unfortunate target of the illegal cage bird trade. Highly sought after, Yellow Cardinals fetch a high price on the illegal market, driving demand for more birds.
Extensive habitat loss has compounded the effects of the illegal trade of Yellow Cardinals. Many areas used by the species have been cleared of wood for commercial purposes, and the plantations that replace them are populated with non-native plants that are of little benefit to the cardinals.
Birds like the Yellow Cardinal need our help to overcome the threats they face. At ABC, we’re inspired by the wonder of birds to take bold action. With science as our foundation, and with inclusion and partnership at the heart of all we do, we support efforts that help imperiled species recover.
Aves Argentinas, a partner of ABC, has been working to reverse the Yellow Cardinal’s declines through a multifaceted campaign. They work to rehabilitate trafficked cardinals and return them to the wild, where many have gone on to raise young. Aves Argentinas also works with law enforcement to intercept cardinals and raises awareness of the issues among the community. Captive breeding programs using birds seized from poachers have also been established.
Both sexes of the Yellow Cardinal have a pointed black crest and a black throat patch. The male is the more vivid of the pair, bright yellow below and streaky yellow-olive above, with a yellow eyebrow and throat stripe. The female is more subdued, grayish-olive above with only touches of yellow, grayish cheeks and breast, and a white throat stripe.
The male Yellow Cardinal sings a mellow-sounding tune of rich whistles, repeated in patterns of three to four syllables. Both sexes give a thin, sharp call note.
Credit: Guilherme Melo Becher, XC770825. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/770825.
Credit: Alvaro Riccetto, XC9658. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/9658.
Dry thorn scrub and forest edges are the preferred habitats of the Yellow Cardinal.
Specific Area
South America from central and north Argentina to Uruguay
Range Detail
The Yellow Cardinal has become rare in most of the places where it was once abundant. Formerly found throughout much of Argentina and Uruguay, today it hangs on in a few locations.
Did you know?
Records exist of the Yellow Cardinal in Brazil, but it is believed that any populations there are now likely extirpated (extinct in this particular locality).
The vibrant yellow hues of the Yellow Cardinal add a splash of color to the thorny scrub habitats and forest edges where it occurs. Males sing loudly from larger trees. Yellow Cardinal nests are often parasitized by the Shiny Cowbird, which can lead to nest abandonment. Their nestlings sometimes become infested with botfly larvae, which reduces the chances of survival.
This species feeds on seeds and small insects, foraging in pairs and small groups on the ground.
There is little information on the specific courtship behaviors of the Yellow Cardinal.
The female Yellow Cardinal builds a nest of small twigs and dry grasses, lined with moss and plant fibers, up to 10 feet above ground in a small tree or shrub.
Two to three pale blue-green eggs make up a Yellow Cardinal clutch. Nestlings fledge after roughly two weeks. Adults will sometimes attempt to re-nest if their first brood is not successful.
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