Pyrrhuloxia

The Pyrrhuloxia is a small crested songbird that lives in the American southwest down through Central America. Males are primarily gray with a red breast, red mask and red-tipped crest. Females lack the red face and breast. Both have short, stout yellowish finch-like beaks.

Pyrrhuloxias prefer habitat of desert scrubland, mesquite grassland or riparian woodland. They build their cup-like nests in short shrubs. They feed by foraging for seeds or gleaning insects from vegetation. They will also visit backyard feeding stations.