Cardinalis cardinalis
The Northern Cardinal is an unmistakable, striking bird with a distinctive crest and robust conical bill. Males are bright red, with a black face mask and coral-red bill. Their wings have a grayish tinge.
Females are predominantly pale brown or buff, with reddish tinges on the crest, wings, and tail. Both sexes have a prominent crest and a long tail. Juveniles resemble females but have a darker bill.
Rare yellow cardinals and birds with half-male and half-female plumage turn up from time to time, and Northern Cardinals often have a scruffy appearance when molting and sometimes even go bald.
Length
21cm to 23cm
Wingspan
25cm to 31cm
Weight
42g to 48g
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Northern Cardinals are broadly distributed in eastern, central, and portions of southwestern North America, from southern Canada to northern Central America, and have been introduced to Hawaii, southern California, and Bermuda. They thrive in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, gardens, shrublands, and wetland edges.
In the United States, they are year-round residents and have expanded their range northward in recent decades. They are particularly common in suburban areas with dense shrubs and small trees.
Sea level to 2,500 meters
Temperate, Subtropical
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Northern Cardinal. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
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