The yellow cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata) is a species of South American bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is the only member of its genus, Gubernatrix. It is very rare and can only be found in South America.
Taxonomy: The yellow cardinal was formally described in 1817 by the French ornithologist Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot under the binomial name Coccothraustes cristata. The specific epithet is from the Latin cristatus meaning “crested” or “plumed”.The ѕрeсіeѕ was moved to its own genus Gubernatrix by the French naturalist René Lesson in 1837. The genus name is the Latin word for “governess”.
Although traditionally included in the family Emberizidae, a study published in 2011 found that the ѕрeсіeѕ was more closely related to the tanager family Thraupidae.A comprehensive study of the tanagers published in 2014 found ѕtгoпɡ support for a sister relationship between the yellow cardinal and the diuca finch.The two ѕрeсіeѕ are known to hybridize, however the yellow cardinal is monotypic and no ѕᴜЬѕрeсіeѕ are recognised.
Status: The current global population of Gubernatrix cristata is between 1000 and 2000.Studies have shown that there are some genetic differences between different populations.Another study has shown that the yellow cardinal presents plasticity in song production, with small differences in song among four different populations.
Striking yellow and black songbird. Note the black pointed crest. Males have a yellow eyebrow and moustachial stripe; females have a white moustacial stripe and grayish cheeks and breast. Occurs in open woodlands, avoiding grasslands and human-modified landscapes. Forages on the ground in pairs or in family groups. Has a melodic song, a series of variable whistles: “wir-wit-chu wir-wit-chu twiit wit-chu tiit wit-chu tiit.” Now very rare because of illegal capture for the cagebird trade.
