Red-capped Cardinal
Scientific Name
Class
Order
Range
Habitat
Estimated Wild Population
More Information
Physical Description
Red-capped cardinals were named for their crimson-colored head and chin, which sit atop a white body with lustrous black wings and a black throat. These songbirds have a conical, mostly black beak that allows them to feed on insects, rice, seeds, and fruit. Breeding pairs build a cup-shaped nest out of roots, twigs, grasses, and leaves.
Interesting Fact 1
Red-capped cardinals are often trapped and traded as a caged bird due to their coloration and melodious song.
Interesting Fact 2
They are commonly known as Brazilian cardinals in some South American regions.
Interesting Fact 3
They have strong legs with large feet that allow them to walk on floating vegetation while feeding.
Species Survival Plan®
We cooperate with other members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to manage the zoo population of this species through a Species Survival Plan®.
Commitment to Care
Lincoln Park Zoo prioritizes individual well-being over everything else. Guided by scientific research, staff and volunteers work to provide the best welfare outcomes for each individual in the zoo’s care.
Support Your Zoo
Animals Depend On People Too
When you ADOPT an animal, you support world-class animal care by helping to provide specially formulated diets, new habitat elements, and regular veterinary checkups.
Wish List
The Wish List is full of one-of-a-kind items for the zoo’s animals, including nutritious snacks and enrichment items to keep them active and healthy.
Take Action With Us
Wildlife face many daunting challenges—some global, like planet-wide climate change, and some that affect individuals, like an animal ingesting plastic—but now is not the time to despair. None of these problems are too big for us to come together and solve.
