Birds: The Northern Cardinal

text from Enature.com



Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardina


Cardinalis cardinalis














This species, named after the red robes worn by Roman Catholic cardinals, has extended its range northward into southern Canada in recent decades. Cardinals are aggressive birds that occupy territories year-round. Both sexes are accomplished songsters and may be heard at any time of year, rather than just in the spring when most other birds are singing. Seeds form a main part of the diet, although insects are eaten in the breeding season. These birds often come to feeders in winter.


description 8-9" (20-23 cm). Male bright red with crest, black face, stout red bill. Female buff-brown tinged with red on crest, wings, and tail.



Range:

That second picture is just brilliantly beautiful, Dave. What a gorgeous bird.

The female is prettier I think. They are yellowish orange, sometime an almost imperceptable greenish tint to them.

I saw a very young one last fall, around teenager stage, and I didn't even know what it was, cause it was really really green. And it's didn't have the poofy hair deal at the top yet.

As it aged, it turned more the yellowish orange color and grew the poofy hairdo.

They are the neatest birds!

True, that one is prettier than the other... but they are both gorgeous birds. Their color is so eye catching, to me. And their bodies are all compact, and cute.

I wish we had cardinals. The females are very pretty.

Does make you wonder why they exist in Arizona/New Mexico, then they don't over in California. Wonder what keeps them out.

It could have something to do with the climate/temperature!

OKay... I just found this on a website about red cardinals:


Named the official state bird in seven states, the northern cardinal is a permanent resident throughout the east to the western edge of the Great Plains and deep into Mexico. Populations persist in riparian zones in southern Arizona. It also has been introduced into California, Hawaii and Bermuda.

So, they ARE in California!!!

It's my state bird yep yep

You are very lucky!

Whidden wrote:

Does make you wonder why they exist in Arizona/New Mexico, then they don't over in California. Wonder what keeps them out.

Maybe the crows here? I want Cardinals!

Sherry, scroll up and read my last post... they are in California.

I read it, but I want Cardinals at MY house. I deserve some cool birds.

I see cardinals sometimes here in Texas! I absolutely love them and so does momma.