Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Yellow Cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata) - HBW 16, p. 641

French: Commandeur huppé German: Grünkardinal Spanish: Gobernador Crestado

Taxonomy: Coccothraustes cristata Vieillot, 1817, Corrientes, Argentina.
Genus has sometimes been placed with the cardinals (Cardinalidae), but morphological data suggest that this is unwarranted; considered probably part of the tanager group (Thraupidae), but precise taxonomic position and closest relatives remain to be determined; molecular studies required. This species has hybridized with Diuca diuca in the wild, perhaps suggesting that it belongs in the tanager clade with Diuca, Paroaria and others. Monotypic.

Distribution: N & C Argentina (Salta, S Formosa and Corrientes S to E La Pampa and N Río Negro), extreme SE Brazil (S & W Rio Grande do Sul) and Uruguay.