Home, near and far.
This species is found in southeastern Canada, throughout the eastern and central United States, and south through Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. It has also been introduced to Bermuda and the major islands of Hawaii.
Birds Heard
FIELD GUIDE
FIELD GUIDE
Cardinals and Allies
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
The Northern Cardinal is a vibrant songbird, well-known for its striking plumage and prominent crest. This species is a familiar sight across its range, often bringing a splash of color to various habitats, including snowy landscapes. Both sexes possess a strong, cone-shaped bill adapted for cracking seeds.
Resident, medium sizeWhistling songOmnivore, eats seedsBold, crested
- Length
- 21-23 cm
- Wingspan
- 25-31 cm
- Weight
- 42-48 g
Typical adult measurements.
Individuals and populations vary.
01 / The telltale details
You’ll know it
when you see it.
Start with shape and behavior. Then look for the smaller details.
- 01
Male Adult
Brilliant crimson red plumage with a black mask around a reddish bill.
- 02
Female Adult
Pale brown overall with warm reddish tinges on the wings, tail, and crest, and a gray to black mask.
- 03
Juvenile
Similar in coloring to the adult female, but with a grayish-black bill that gradually turns red-orange.
- 04
Bill
Both sexes have a thick, cone-shaped, bright coral-colored bill.
02 / A place in the world
Where life
takes it.
Northern Cardinals inhabit a variety of environments, including woodlands, forest edges, shrublands, swamps, and thickets. They are also commonly found in human-altered landscapes such as gardens, parks, and suburban areas.
Stay a while. Or follow the season.
Northern Cardinals are non-migratory, remaining in their breeding range year-round. This allows for their vibrant presence to be enjoyed even during winter months.
03 / Listen a little closer
A voice
of its own.
Their song is a series of clear, whistling phrases, often described as cheerful. Both males and females sing, with females sometimes singing from the nest.
04 / The life behind the feathers
A day in its world.
On the menu.
Their diet primarily consists of seeds, including those from weeds and grasses, and various wild fruits and berries. They also consume insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars.
Cardinals typically forage by hopping on the ground or in low bushes, though they may also feed higher in trees. They readily visit bird feeders, showing a preference for sunflower seeds.
A place to begin.
The female usually selects the nest site and constructs an open, cup-shaped nest from twigs and weed stems, often lined with grass. Nests are typically placed in dense shrubs or small trees.
The little routines.
Males defend their nesting territory through song and by actively chasing intruders. Both males and females may attack their own reflections during breeding season, mistaking them for rivals.
One more reason to pay attention
A familiar face.
A few surprises.
The Northern Cardinal is the state bird of seven U.S. states, more than any other species.
The species' name is derived from the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church, who wear distinctive red robes.
Female Northern Cardinals are among the few female North American songbirds that sing.
05 / An eye for the difference
Could it be
someone else?
Pyrrhuloxia
Cardinalis sinuatusPyrrhuloxia males have a gray body with red accents and a distinctly curved, yellowish bill.
Summer Tanager
Piranga rubraMale Summer Tanagers are entirely red but lack a crest and have a paler bill.
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanusMale House Finches have red limited to the head and breast, with streaky brown bodies and no crest.
Behind these field notesResearch & references · 12 sources
AI-assisted species research. Prepared September 2026. Details can vary across regions and populations.