Arizona hosts a colorful array of cardinals and grosbeaks, many of which brighten desert washes, riparian corridors, and mountain canyons. The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a familiar resident in southern and central Arizona, where males’ vivid red plumage and clear whistles enliven mesquite and cottonwood thickets. The Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus), sometimes called the Desert Cardinal, occupies arid scrublands of southern Arizona, recognized by its gray body, red mask, and parrot-like bill.
Among the grosbeaks, the Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) breeds in wooded canyons and along rivers, its rich orange breast and melodious song making it a favorite of summer birders. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), with its striking red chest patch, is a rare migrant mainly seen in spring and fall. The Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea), a deep blue bird with chestnut wingbars, is a widespread summer breeder in brushy riparian habitats throughout the state.