Northern Cardinal

Males are vibrant red with a black mask around a thick orange-red bill and a prominent crest. Females are fawn-colored with grayish-brown tones, reddish tints on the wings, tail, and crest, and a smaller black mask.

Prominent head crest, thick conical orange-red bill, and the specific male-red or female-tan coloration with a black face mask.

Length: 8.3-9.1 in (21-23 cm); Wingspan: 9.8-12.2 in (25-31 cm); Weight: 1.5-1.7 oz (42-48 g).

A loud, clear whistle sounding like 'cheer-cheer-cheer' or 'birdie-birdie-birdie'; calls include a sharp metallic 'tik'.

Primarily seeds, grains, and fruits; also eats insects during the breeding season to provide protein for nestlings.

Found in brushy areas, wood edges, suburban gardens, parks, and thickets.

Non-migratory resident; they typically stay within a few miles of where they were born.

Open cup nests built by the female in dense shrubs. Clutch size 2-5 eggs, often with multiple broods per year. Males often feed the female while she incubates.

Pyrrhuloxia (found in the Southwest, grayer with a curved yellow beak); Summer Tanager (all red but lacks the crest and black mask).

Acts as both a seed disperser and a consumer of many insects, helping to regulate pest populations in gardens and woodlands.

Least Concern (IUCN); stable and widespread population.

Easily spotted at bird feeders, especially when sunflower seeds are offered. Listen for their clear, whistling song from the tops of trees or shrubs.

The Northern Cardinal is the state bird of seven U.S. states. They are highly territorial and have been known to attack their own reflection in windows thinking it is an intruder.