The masked cardinal (Paroaria nigrogenis) is a bird species in the tanager family (Thraupidae). It is not very closely related to the cardinals proper (Cardinalidae).

Masked cardinal
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thraupidae
Genus: Paroaria
Species:
P. nigrogenis
Binomial name
Paroaria nigrogenis
(Lafresnaye, 1846)
Synonyms

Paroaria gularis nigrogenis

It is found in Trinidad, far north-eastern Colombia and northern Venezuela. It was previously considered conspecific with the red-capped cardinal (Paroaria gularis), from which it differs by the black ear-coverts and the red (not black) lower throat and upper chest. Additionally, its lower mandible is typically whitish, but this is not entirely consistent, as it occasionally is pale flesh-coloured. This distinctive taxon as a distinct species, as suggested by the lack of hybridization with P. g. gularis in the limited area of overlap in southern Venezuela.[2][3] The common name masked cardinal was suggested.[4]

References

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  1. ^ BirdLife International (2018). "Paroaria nigrogenis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22736357A132189303. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22736357A132189303.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ Dávalos, L.M.; Porzecanski, A.L. (2009). "Accounting for molecular stochasticity in systematic revisions: species limits and phylogeny of Paroaria". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 53 (1): 234–248. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2009.06.003. PMID 19524053.
  3. ^ Jaramillo, Alvaro (October 2010). "Proposal 469A: Species limits in Paroaria". South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  4. ^ Restall et al. (2006).