Gubernatrix

The yellow cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is the only member of its genus, Gubernatrix. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.Its natural habitats are dry savanna, temperate shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, and temperate grassland.It is threatened by habitat loss and from pet trade trappers. The term 'yellow cardinal' or 'yellow morph' may also describe a northern cardinal which is yellow because it lacks the usual enzyme which converts yellow pigments in food to the red pigments in the feathers of most of its species. Sightings are rare. The current global population of the Gubernatrix cristatal is between 1000 and 2000 (BirdLife International). Separates populations of yellow cardinal have unique traits. Studies have shown that there are some genetic differences between different populations. Another study has shown that yellow cardinal presents plasticity in song production. From four different populations, they are small differences in their songs.