The Red-cowled Cardinal (Paroaria dominicana) is a bird species in the tanager family (Thraupidae). It was formerly placed in the Emberizidae and is not very closely related to the cardinals proper (Cardinalidae).

Its occurs in a wide range of dry to semi-humid open to semi-open habitats in north-eastern Brazil (especially the Caatinga region). It has been introduced (probably by means of escaped caged individuals) to Rio de Janeiro, being locally common even in urban areas.