Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus), Dateland, Yuma County

This Pyrrhuloxia was found by Caleb Strand on 28 October and photographed by Henry Detwiler on 01 November and by Matt Victoria on 05 November 2017

Casual in Yuma County, with this being the first recorded since the Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas efforts in the 1990s. This species is somewhat irruptive at the edge of its range and has likely bred in the county in some years historically. May be more regular in the county than current records suggest, in suitable habitat within areas not regularly visited by birders such as the Yuma Proving Grounds and the Barry M. Goldwater Range.

This juvenile Pyrrhuloxia is distinguished by a juvenile Northern Cardinal mainly by its shorter, very strongly curved bill.

01 November 2017, photo by Henry Detwiler

05 November 2017, photo by Matt Victoria

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