Pope Cardinal

Scientific Name: Paroaria dominicana

Origin: Brazil

This lively, attractive song bird resembles the Red-Crested Cardinal, but is better tempered, smaller and has no crest. It has a very melodious voice. It is not aggressive with similar sized birds, but a pair is shy of breeding in a mixed collection.

Description:

Size: 18 cm (7 in)

COCK: Head and throat: bright red. Stomach: white, fading to grey. Back, wings and tail: dark grey. Beak: cream. Legs: dark grey.

HEN:

Identical, so it is difficult to select a true pair.

Diet: (Seedeater)

Plain canary seed, mixed millets and a little sunflower seed form the basic diet. If available, hemp seed is enjoyed. Some birds enjoy a little fruit. Green food and live food should be given to breeding pairs and an occasional maggot or meal worm is appreciated out of the breeding season. Grit and cuttlefish bone must always be available.

This bird needs a large aviary with plenty of cover. It is hardy, but should be encouraged to use a shelter in cold weather as it has a habit of roosting outside. If not keen to use a shelter, try to provide some outside cover near the favorite perching and roosting spot.

Breeding:

As pairs are nervous and shy, it is better to remove the birds to a separate quiet area for breeding. The hen chooses her mate carefully, so it is advisable to purchase several birds and allow natural pairing. Its nesting habits are much the some as the Red-Crested Cardinal.

An artificial nest site should be provided at shoulder level. An untidy nest is constructed from grasses and heathers, if available. A willow basket often proves poisonous fumes. This condition may take several months to eradicate. A bird with asthma will usually be seen to have a gaping beak and ruffled feathers. The bird's sinus passages often become clogged and treatment should consist of a decongestant cold remedy and a medium strength inhalant administered every day.

These remedies may be purchased in the correct strength for birds from pet stores or supplied by a veterinary surgeon. Electric vaporizers may be used to ease the application of the inhalant. Parakeets and budgerigars are the most likely types to suffer from this complaint.

Pope Cardinal Information

• In the 19th century the cardinals were highly prized caged birds in the bird trade. They were especially famous for their song and the color of plumage. A Large number of birds were trapped for selling. The practice of trapping and caging of this breed of bird were stopped after the enactment of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1819.
• The nomenclature of the bird as cardinal is so named because of the traditional red color of the robe worn by the Church cardinals. The bird has a distinct red color plumage bearing a resemblance of the red attired church cardinals.
• The birds are primarily non migratory in nature. Even though in the summer season they move to some extent but in the winters they generally remain more or less stationary.