How Rare Is A Yellow Cardinal?
It’s undeniably true how beautiful those yellow cardinals are. But unfortunately, not every bird watcher can admire their beauty as these birds aren’t ubiquitous. So, how rare is a yellow cardinal?
These birdies are extremely rare. It is said that a birder can spot one yellow cardinal once in a lifetime if he or she is lucky enough. So, what makes those birds so rare?
There are various factors on why these birds are rare, and we have described all the possible reasons in this content. Also, shared some other related information regarding yellow cardinals. Hence, without delaying more, let’s read.
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Are Yellow Cardinals Rare?
Spotting the yellow cardinals can be an enthralling moment, but very few wildlife watchers get such an experience as these birds are challenging to find. So, does it mean these birds are infrequent? Are yellow cardinals rare?
The short answer is yes; yellow cardinals are the rarest birds. Although the United States houses millions of red cardinals, this country doesn’t contain lots of yellow cardinals.
Can A Cardinal Be Yellow?
Yes, cardinals can be yellow, yet they are incredibly rare. Although cardinals are famous for their vibrant, red plumage, you can still find yellow-colored cardinals out in the woods.
How Do Yellow Cardinals Get Their Colors?
FYI, cardinals get their plumage colors with the help of carotenoids found in seeds and fruits. This substance mainly gives them red-colored feathers.
But in the case of yellow cardinals, they develop yellow plumage instead of red. Some scientists believe that cardinals get yellow color from a genetic mutation called xanthochromism.
The mutation blocks the redness pathway in the cardinals’ DNA and accelerates yellow pigment production, causing cardinals to turn yellow.
What Do Yellow Cardinals Look Like?
It is mostly yellow with some gray on its wings and tail. Some yellow cardinals have black color on their wings and tails with white spots. The yellow cardinal is a relatively small bird measuring only about 9 inches in length.
One of the most distinguishing features of the yellow cardinal is its bright yellow beak. The beak is slightly curved and has a hook tip that helps the bird eat insects and other small prey.
The yellow cardinal also has a black face and legs. The male and female birds look very similar, while the female yellow cardinals are slightly smaller than the males.
What Bird Looks Like A Yellow Cardinal But Isn’t The Northern Cardinal?
The yellow cardinal, whose scientific name is gubernatrix cristata, found in South America, isn’t a northern cardinal. Many bird watchers confuse this bird with the northern cardinal when it’s an entirely different bird species.
This bird is derived from the Thraupidae family, while the northern cardinal’s family is cardinalidae. Besides, this bird is the only member of the gubernatrix genus group.
The only similarity between this bird and the northern yellow cardinal is that both are rare. The gubernatrix cristata achieves its feather color naturally, while the northern yellow cardinal’s plumage results from a genetic mutation. Now, let’s talk about how to identify these two birds.
How To Determine The South American Yellow Cardinal & Northern Yellow Cardinal:
At first glance, both birds look identical due to their similar physical attributes, but you can easily identify them with a close inspection.
For instance, if you check the gubernatrix’s crest, you will notice it’s got a black crest, while the mutated yellow cardinal features a yellow crest.
Besides, the South American yellow cardinal boasts dark gray feathers around its eyes and on its wings and tails. Also, it’s got white patches on its wings that the northern yellow cardinal lacks.
Hence, these characteristic differences between these two birds can help you identify them correctly in a cinch.
Where Are Yellow Cardinals Found?
Yellow cardinals are found in various habitats, but they prefer wooded areas. They are often found near streams or other sources of water.
In North America, they are most commonly found in the southeastern United States. They have also been spotted in Central and South America, Europe, and Asia.
How Many Yellow Cardinals Are There In The World?
To date, there has been no survey conducted by pollsters on the population of yellow cardinals. There are a variety of opinions on how many yellow Cardinals exist in the world.
But based on the sightings of various birders worldwide, researchers assume that there can be 10 to 12 yellow cardinals in the eastern United States and Canada. [Reference]
While the number of yellow Cardinals in the world is unknown, it is believed that their population is declining. This is due to habitat loss and other factors such as disease and predation.
So, now you can understand how rare yellow cardinals are and how challenging it will be to spot one yellow cardinal in the wild.
Why Are Yellow Cardinals So Rare?
Yellow cardinals that grow yellow-colored feathers due to lack of enzyme or enzyme failure are so rare as this strange incident doesn’t happen in the northern cardinal’s body frequently.
There are several reasons why yellow cardinals are so rare.
01. First, the genes for yellow feathers are recessive, so both parents must have the gene to produce a yellow offspring.
02. Second, even if both parents have the gene for yellow feathers, there is barely any chance that their hatchlings will have yellow-colored feathers. So, the odds are already against the yellow cardinals from the start.
03. But there’s another reason why yellow cardinals are so rare, and it has to do with predation. Birds with more colorful plumage tend to be more visible to predators and thus are more likely to be eaten before adulthood.
This means that yellow cardinals face a higher risk of being preyed upon than their more drably-colored cousins.
Hence, these are all the facts why yellow cardinals are so rare. If you’re lucky enough to spot one, consider yourself among the privileged few!
Are Yellow Cardinals Endangered?
Yes, yellow cardinals are now endangered due to habitat loss and other factors. Let’s describe those facts below.
- One of the biggest threats to these birds is habitat loss. Yellow cardinals need forested areas to live and nest, but humans are destroying their habitats. Deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture all contribute to their habitat loss.
- In addition to habitat loss, yellow cardinals are also threatened by pesticides and other chemicals. These chemicals can kill the insects that the birds eat, making it difficult for them to find food.
- Furthermore, climate change is also a threat to yellow cardinals. As the climate changes, it can cause droughts and extreme weather conditions that make it difficult for these birds to survive.
- Lastly, many yellow cardinals reside in xerophytic woodland and savannah, considered endangered since 1994. These places are full of threats for those birds; for instance, they get captured for the cage bird trade.
According to recent reports, the gubernatrix cristata birds are being caged for exhibition and trade purposes. And this is the significant reason why the south American cardinals are becoming infrequent daily. [Reference]
Speaking of the genetically mutated northern yellow cardinals, they are already few in numbers, which means these birds are at the edge of extinction. In short, both yellow cardinal types are endangered, and now you know why.
What Bird Looks Like A Cardinal But Is Yellow?
You can find a couple of birds that match the yellow cardinals’ outlook. For example, the Pyrrhuloxia bird looks more like a yellow cardinal with its yellow bill.
Another bird is the yellow-breasted chat, a North American songbird with a striking yellow breast and black facial markings. Last but not least, the yellow-rumped warbler also matches the yellow cardinal.
So, next time you see a bird that looks like a cardinal but is yellow, don’t be too quick to assume it’s just a weird color variation; it could be one of these three species!
What Are The Odds Of Finding A Yellow Cardinal?
Since the mutated yellow cardinal is extremely rare, according to Geoff Hill, a professor and self-claimed bird curator at Auburn University, the chance of spotting a yellow cardinal in the wild is one in a million.
However, the chance of witnessing the gubernatrix cristata is higher than the northern yellow cardinal if you search for them in dense shrubs and forests of some states in South America.
What Does It Mean If You See A Yellow Cardinal?
There are many different superstitions and beliefs surrounding yellow cardinals. Some believe spotting yellow cardinals is a message from the spirit to let your true self shine.
First of all, it will be a memorable event that you should capture to memorize later. Next, consider yourself extremely fortunate when you encounter one yellow cardinal.
You belong to the very few groups of people who were as fortunate as you to witness this rare bird. And after spotting the yellow cardinals, they felt joy and happiness, which this bird symbolizes.
While others believe seeing a yellow cardinal is a good luck. Whatever the superstitions are, one thing is for sure- spotting a yellow cardinal is an unforgettable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Common Are Yellow Cardinals?
Yellow cardinals are actually quite rare, and they are not often seen in the wild. In fact, experts believe that there may only be 10-15 yellow cardinals in North America. Hence, it will be a viral event when these elusive bird species conduct flights.
How Long Do Yellow Cardinals Live?
Although most cardinals live for around three years on average, some yellow cardinals have been recorded to live for up to 15 years. But exceptions can’t be an example. Their normal lifespan is between 3 to 5 years.
How Big Is A Yellow Cardinal?
Cardinals are one of the smaller bird species. They are medium-sized songbirds. The average length of a yellow cardinal is about 9 inches. The average weight is about 2 ounces.
How Fast Can A Yellow Cardinal Fly?
The yellow cardinal is quite a fast bird and has been recorded flying at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour! That’s faster than your pace.
To Conclude:
Yellow cardinals are one of the rarest bird species that venture into the wild. They are stunning and adorable but, unfortunately, are endangered. Hence, to help them survive, you can stop using pesticides and other insect-killing chemicals in your yard.
Plus, increase awareness to prevent bird caging and, more importantly, feed them healthy food if you ever luckily spot one yellow cardinal. That’s all for this content; we hope you found the answer you were looking for. If you did, we expect you to follow us on Pinterest, Facebook & Twitter.
Article Reference:
- Wbtv.com/2021/03/15/rare-yellow-cardinal-has-been-spotted-illinois-theres-less-than-one-in-a-million-chance-see-one-expert-says/
- Fox35orlando.com/news/one-in-a-million-yellow-cardinal-spotted-in-florida
- Datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/yellow-cardinal-gubernatrix-cristata/
- Edition.cnn.com/2019/10/16/us/rare-one-in-a-million-yellow-cardinal-scn-trnd
- Sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/s1617138119300470
Image Credits:
- Facebook.com/TheYellowCardinal
- Jeremyblackphotography.com
- Canva.com/photos
