Warblers, Sparrows, Finches & Blackbirds
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
A brilliant red songbird with a pointed crest, and the state bird of North Carolina and six other states. Both males and females sing.
How to identify it
- Male: bright red all over with a black face mask
- Pointed crest
- Thick, cone-shaped orange-red bill
- Female: warm tan with red tints in the wings, tail and crest
- Loud, whistled "cheer-cheer-cheer" or "birdy-birdy-birdy"
SizeAbout the size of an American Robin
Carolina Chickadee4 in
Song Sparrow6 in
Northern Cardinal9 in
American Robin10 in
6 inAverage length, bill to tail
Details
- Size
- 8–9 in long; wingspan 10–12 in
- Weight
- 1.5–1.8 oz
- Habitat
- Woodland edges, thickets, gardens, yards and feeders
- When to see it
- Year-round across the East and Southwest
- Diet
- Seeds, fruit, insects; sunflower seeds at feeders
Range in the United States
Life history
Food
Eats seeds, fruit and insects; sunflower seeds are a favorite at feeders.
Nesting
A cup of twigs, leaves and grass in a dense shrub or vine tangle.
- Clutch
- 2–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 11–13 days
- Young
- Fledge at about 9–11 days
- Broods
- 1–3 per year
Behavior
Males feed females beak-to-beak during courtship. Males fight their reflections in windows.
Conservation
Abundant and expanding northward.
Cool facts
- It's the state bird of seven states, more than any other bird.
- Female cardinals sing, which is unusual among North American songbirds.
- Its red color comes from pigments in the foods it eats.
Songs & calls
▶Bird sounds video coming soon
Watch the Northern Cardinal
▶Video coming soon
