The molting pattern in most cardinalids exhibits delayed plumage maturation, so that often the first- year male birds would be in non-breeding plumage or at an intermediate stage. Females of all species are either drabber in coloration by comparison, either a lighter coloration of the males, with oranges, greens or yellows. Males of tropical species will have the same coloration year-round. Adults will typically have the basic two molt cycle from alternate to basic or partial (late summer or fall) to back again in the spring. In the spring to summer birds start with juvenile plumage to supplemental plumage, then to a first basic (nonbreeding) plumage in the fall to winter and finally the first alternate (breeding) plumage. These species such as the indigo bunting will exhibit a complex molt cycle where they go through four different stages of plumage coverage within their first year of life. In most temperate species males will undergo molting between seasons so that non-breeding males will either resemble the females of their species or in-between the two. The plumages in cardinalids are sexually dichromatic as many males of various species display bright reds, oranges, blues or blacks. Cardinalids have nine visible primary feathers with the tenth primary feather being short in comparison. The body of cardinalids ranges from small to medium with lengths of 4.5 to 11 in (11 to 28 cm). The head is medium to large in size, with a medium neck length. Similarly the cardinalid tanagers are closer to the cardinals and masked grosbeaks (see more in the systematics section). This bill shape is not always an indicator of relationships, as the various species of blue cardinalid species, like the blue grosbeak and Cyanoloxia grosbeaks are related to the buntings. The cardinalid tanagers have stout, near pointed bills, with some species of Piranga having serrations along the edge of their upper bills. The grosbeaks, seedeaters, and cardinals have large bills, while Granatellus and buntings have small bills. The female of the blue grosbeak is predominantly brown However, some species such as the northern cardinal have been expanding their range within the last century. Studies on the effects of climate change on species has suggested many more might be threatened with extinction in the near future. In terms of conservation, most members of this family are considered least concern by the IUCN Red List, though a few, such as the Carrizal seedeater and black-cheeked ant tanager, are listed as critically endangered and endangered, respectively. Most are arboreal species though the dickcissel is a ground-dwelling prairie bird. Most species are monogamous breeders that nest in open-cup nests, with many taking turn incubating the nest and taking care of their young. Members of this group are beloved for their brilliant red, yellow, or blue plumages seen in many of the breeding males in this family. In general they are medium to large songbirds with stout features, some with large heavy bills. As such, membership of this group is not easily defined by a single or even a set of physical characteristics, but instead by molecular work. It also includes several birds such as the tanager-like Piranga and the warbler-like Granatellus. Cardinalidae (often referred to as the " cardinal-grosbeaks" or simply the " cardinals") is a family of New World- endemic passerine birds that consists of cardinals, grosbeaks, and buntings.
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