What is yellow billed cardinal?

The yellow-billed cardinal (Paroaria capitata) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in northern South America, particularly in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.

The yellow-billed cardinal is a medium-sized bird, with a length ranging from 15 to 17 cm and a wingspan of 25 to 29 cm. It has a distinctive black mask and throat, with a vibrant red body and a yellow bill. The female has a duller appearance with less red coloration.

The yellow-billed cardinal inhabits a variety of habitats, including forests, scrublands, and grasslands. It is often found in urban areas, including parks and gardens. The bird's diet consists mainly of insects and other invertebrates, but they will also eat seeds and fruits.

Yellow-billed cardinals are social birds, commonly seen in small flocks. They build cup-shaped nests out of twigs and plant fibers, often in shrubs, and lay 2 to 3 eggs per clutch. The incubation period typically lasts for about 12 to 13 days.

Despite having a large geographic range, the yellow-billed cardinal faces threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanization. However, the species is not currently considered threatened and is classified as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).