Cardinals are a family of passerine birds found in North and South America. The South American cardinals in the genus Paroaria are placed in another family, the Thraupidae (previously placed in Emberizidae).
These are robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. The family ranges in size from the 12-cm, 11.5-gram Orange-breasted Bunting to the 25-cm, 85-gram Black-headed Saltator[verification needed]. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinctive appearances; the family is named for the red plumage (colored cardinal like the color of a Catholic cardinal's vestments) of males of the type species, the Northern Cardinal.
- Genus Periporphyrus
- Red-and-black Grosbeak, Periporphyrus erythromelas
- Genus Caryothraustes
- Black-faced Grosbeak, Caryothraustes poliogaster
- Yellow-green Grosbeak, Caryothraustes canadensis
- Genus Rhodothraupis
- Crimson-collared Grosbeak, Rhodothraupis celaeno
- Genus Cardinalis
- Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis
- Pyrrhuloxia, Cardinalis sinuatus
- Vermilion Cardinal, Cardinalis phoeniceus
- Genus Piranga (from Thraupidae)
Rose-throated Tanager, Piranga roseogularis
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- Hepatic Tanager, Piranga flava
- Scarlet Tanager, Piranga olivacea
- Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra
- Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana
- Flame-colored Tanager, Piranga bidentata
- White-winged Tanager, Piranga leucoptera
- Red-headed Tanager, Piranga erythrocephala
- Red-hooded Tanager, Piranga rubriceps
- Blue Grosbeak, Passerina caerulea - sometimes separated in Guiraca
- Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena
- Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea
- Varied Bunting, Passerina versicolor
- Painted Bunting, Passerina ciris
- Rose-bellied Bunting, Passerina rositae
- Orange-breasted Bunting, Passerina leclancherii
