Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Tanagers, Buntings

Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis

Family Cardinalidae (Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Tanagers, Buntings)

Size: 8.5"

Season: Year-round

Habitat: Woodlands with thickets, suburban gardens

The northern cardinal, with its thick, powerful bill, eats mostly seeds but will also forage for fruit and insects. It is often found in pairs and is quite common at suburban feeders. It is a long-tailed songbird with a thick, short, orange bill and a tall crest. The male is red overall with a black mask and chin. The female is brownish above, dusky below, and crested, with a dark front to the face. Juveniles are similar to the female but have a black bill. The voice is a musical weeta-weeta or woit heard from a tall, exposed perch. The adult male (bottom) and adult female (top) are illustrated.