Northern Cardinal - - (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Wildlife Note Card Photography by Steven Holt

Probably the most recognized and popular bird in North America, the Northern Cardinal is the state bird of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. Northern Cardinals are abundant in the United States east of the Rockies and in the desert southwest. They are also found in most of Mexico and have recently extended their range north into Canada. They are named for the male cardinal's resemblance to the Catholic cardinal's crimson robes and peaked hat. The females, however, are buffy brown, with orange beaks and crimson tinges in their wings and tail. Young cardinals are even browner and have a brown beak. The cardinal's powerful beak can easily crack sunflower seeds and the hardest birdseed. Both sexes sing, but males more commonly use song for territorial defense. While both male and female cardinals normally chase away same sex intruders, in one unusual case, two females mated with the same male and shared a nest.

Special thanks to Keith Iding for scanning the cards.