Blackish-blue Seedeater vs Northern Cardinal
Amaurospiza moesta compared with Cardinalis cardinalis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blackish-blue Seedeater | Northern Cardinal |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Amaurospiza moesta | Cardinalis cardinalis |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Cardinalidae | Cardinalidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 22.0 cm (8.7 in) |
| Wingspan | 12.3 cm (4.8 in) | 30.0 cm (11.8 in) |
| Weight | 13.5 g (0.48 oz) | 44.0 g (1.55 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Seeds, grains, fruits, and insects. Especially fond of sunflower seeds at bird feeders. Feeds mainly … |
| Clutch Size | 3 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Northern Cardinal
Woodland edges, thickets, gardens, and suburban areas. Prefers dense shrubby habitats for nesting.
Song & Call Comparison
Blackish-blue Seedeater
Northern Cardinal
Loud, clear whistled phrases: 'cheer-cheer-cheer' and 'birdy-birdy-birdy'. Both male and female sing; female song is softer. Alarm is a sharp metallic 'chink'.
Geographic Range & Migration
Blackish-blue Seedeater
Northern Cardinal
Eastern and central North America from southern Canada to Mexico and Guatemala. Expanding range northward.
Conservation Status
Blackish-blue Seedeater
Northern Cardinal
How to Tell Them Apart
Blackish-blue Seedeater
Northern Cardinal
Males are brilliant crimson red overall with a black face mask. Females are warm buffy brown with reddish tinges on wings, crest, and tail.
Thick, conical, bright orange-red bill
About These Birds
Blackish-blue Seedeater
The Blackish-blue Seedeater is a small, dimorphic finch; males are uniform dark slaty-blue to blackish while females are warm brown with a pale bill. It inhabits bamboo thickets and dense scrub within Atlantic Forest and adjacent areas in southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina. It specializes in feeding on bamboo seeds but also takes other grass seeds and small insects.
Northern Cardinal
The northern cardinal is the state bird of seven US states, more than any other species. Unlike many songbirds, both males and females sing, often in duets. Cardinals do not migrate and their brilliant red plumage against winter snow makes them a favorite among backyard birdwatchers.