Field ID: Cardinalids

 

Picture and text provided by the Museum of Novasola, in association with the Novasola Audubon Society

Cardinalidae is a family of birds that includes some cardinals, tanagers, grosbeaks, and buntings, though common names can be misleading. Three members of the family are endemic to Novasola and all are common during the breeding season. Two species are long-distance migrants, traveling off-island outside the breeding season, while the third is a short distance migrant in many places. As such, birds of this group are most often observed during the summer and thus heavily associated with it.  

There are few easily-observed traits that tie cardinalids together, the group was determined to be related mostly through molecular or genetic means. This is true on Novasola as well, as the three species do not appear especially closely related. In general, these are sturdy, small-to-medium sized passerines with robust bills. Their most obvious feature are the extremely bright colors of males. Novasolan cardinalids exhibit rather extreme sexual dimorphism in plumage. Male coloration varies between the species but each is vibrant and colorful, with brilliant purples, blues, red, and yellows. On Novasola, this group could be called the “primary colors” family. Females are less colorful or drab, brown or green with variable patterning. The cardinalids are often quite vocal, and all three species have noteworthy songs that do share some structural similarities. Habitat and diet preferences vary widely between species, though none will nest or forage on the ground.

Because each species is fairly unique, it would be difficult to confuse any endemic cardinalid for any other species, let alone the other cardinalids. For example, Violet Buntings may be confused for sparrows and Novasola Tanagers for orioles, but a quick guide to all three species can be helpful, for identification but also to highlight interesting family traits. Below is an overview of all three cardinalid species endemic Novasola. It should be noted other species may be found on the island as vagrants, but are not endemic. Click on the name of each species to be taken to that species’ full entry.

 

1.      Violet Bunting

·        Field Marks – Smallest cardinal, about the size of a sparrow. Males are brilliant purple-blue overall with lighter blue edges to the wing and tail feathers and a white belly. Females are dull brown, with very faint bluish edges to the wing and tail feathers. Wings and tail are dark. Bill is dark, sharp, and robust.  

·        Voice – Song is a melodious series of both clear, sweet notes and raspy buzzes that rises and falls in pitch, lasting 2-3 seconds, often repeated. Pattern and order of notes is variable, and males will frequently change their song. The most common call is a short, metallic tic. Raspier/buzzier and faster than other cardinals.

·        Habitat – Brushy areas, woodland, savannah, scrubland, and riparian thickets. Will also use developed areas like parks, gardens, and orchards.

·        Location – Breeds across Novasola, winters off-island.

·        Behaviors – Diet generalists, they eat invertebrates like insects and arthropods and plant matter like fruit and seeds. Will visit bird feeders readily. Prefer to stay low in the understory, often under dense cover, except when males sing from exposed perches.  

·        Notes – Of endemic cardinals, most at home in open or arid ecosystems like scrubland and will spend the most time near the ground. Males unmistakable, but females may be confused for sparrows or finches.

 

2.      Spotted Grosbeak

·        Field Marks – Largest cardinal, about the size of a robin. Heavy and stocky with large head and extremely large, thick bill. Males black wings with extensive white spots, black tail, and black head and intense black spotting on back and flanks. Back, throat, and breast are bright yellow, undersides and rump are white. Females are brown overall with dark streaking on back and a pale supercilium. Breast is pale, slightly yellowish, and faint spotting on flanks.   

·        Voice – Song is a melodious series of clear, sweet, whistled notes that rises and falls in pitch, usually lasting 5 seconds. Sounds similar to the song of the Halley’s Robin, but more musical and slurred. Both sexes sing. Calls include a quick, sharp chip and hoarse rasping when alarmed.

·        Habitat – Prefer complex mosaics of edge habitats near to both closed forest and open areas, especially when also near wetlands or riparian areas. Also common in suburban areas.

·        Location – Breeds across Novasola, winters outside the interior prairie. Some birds migrate off-island.  

·        Behaviors – Variable diet includes invertebrates and plant matter like seeds, fruit, and buds. Will eat larger seeds and insects than other cardinals. Will spend equal time in the canopy and understory.

·        Notes – Least migratory, the only cardinal to spend winters on Novasola. Males unlikely to be mistaken for anything, likely only certain icterid blackbirds, though their song does sound like that of the tanager and robin. Females more likely to be confused for other species, like blackbirds, sparrows, finches, and thrushes, but the in both sexes the obvious bill is diagnostic.  

 

3.      Novasola Tanager

·        Field Marks – Medium-sized and relatively slender. Males are vibrant scarlet red with black back, wings, and tail. Wings have two red wingbars. Females are olive-green with brown back, wings, and tail. Bill sturdy but more slender than other cardinals.

·        Voice – Song is a short, burry collection of multiple short up-and-down syllables, lasting 2-3 seconds, often repeated. Song similar to that of Halley’s Robin, and of the Spotted Grosbeak, but shorter and raspier, more gargled. Most common calls are a sharp, fast triplet wit-a-rick.  

·        Habitat – Forests, including temperate rainforest, conifer, and mixed forests, and deciduous woodlands and savannah. Uncommon in scrubland. Will use suburban development areas.

·        Location – Breeds across Novasolan forested areas, excludes prairie. Winters off-island.  

·        Behaviors – Summer diet almost exclusively invertebrates, winter diet almost exclusively berries and other fruit. Exceptions made for bird feeders, which they will visit though less commonly than the other cardinals. Nests are built using only moss and lichen and they can often be seen carrying moss to the nest site during building. Spends the majority of the time in the canopy, can be difficult to observe.

·        Notes – No other native bird is so red, though females can be confused for certain icterid blackbirds or flycatchers. Tanagers, though common, are the least common cardinal in towns and are facing the largest population declines overall. Recently a population has established in British Columbia, making these the only cardinal that breeds off-island, and technically no-longer endemic. Used in the logo for the Novasola Audubon Society.