Eastern Bolivia (Santa Cruz, locally also southern Beni), southern and south-eastern Brazil (south-western Mato Grosso and southern Rio Grande do Sul), western and central Paraguay, northern Argentina (south to northern Mendoza, central La Pampa and central Buenos Aires) and Uruguay. Introduced to Hawaiian Is.
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Red-crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata) [XC273044]
by Peter Boesman from North-east of La Para, Mar Chiquita, C\u00f3rdoba, Argentina (song)
Red-crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata) [XC425967]
by Christopher Moser-Purdy from Pilcomayo, Formosa, Argentina (song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Recent molecular-genetic research indicates that genus belongs in the tanager family (Thraupidae), forming a clade with, among others, Cissopis and Schistochlamys. Curiously, members of latter two genera are similar in some plumage features and in bill shape to some members of present genus. This species may form a superspecies with Red-cowled Cardinal (Paroaria dominicana).