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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | '''Male''' All red with black mask and chin. Wings have some gray. Red bill | + | '''Male''' All red with black mask and chin. Wings have some gray. Red bill<br/> |
| − | '''Female''' Brown overall with some red in wings, face, and tail. Red bill | + | '''Female''' Brown overall with some red in wings, face, and tail. Red bill<br/> |
| − | '''Juvenile''' Similar to female but bill is dark instead of red. | + | '''Juvenile''' Similar to female but bill is dark instead of red.<br/> |
| − | All birds | + | All birds have crest and large, conical bill<br/> |
| − | Length: 7.75 inches | + | Length: 7.75 inches |
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[[Image:Northern_Cardinal_Juvenile_Female.jpg|left|Photo by Larry D Smith - Northern_Cardinal_Juvenile_Female http://www.SouthwestNaturePhotos.com/Larry]] | [[Image:Northern_Cardinal_Juvenile_Female.jpg|left|Photo by Larry D Smith - Northern_Cardinal_Juvenile_Female http://www.SouthwestNaturePhotos.com/Larry]] | ||
Revision as of 17:19, 27 December 2007
- Cardinalis cardinalis
Identification
Male All red with black mask and chin. Wings have some gray. Red bill
Female Brown overall with some red in wings, face, and tail. Red bill
Juvenile Similar to female but bill is dark instead of red.
All birds have crest and large, conical bill
Length: 7.75 inches
Distribution
Taxonomy
Habitat
Typical habitats are thickets and brushy areas, edges and clearings, riparian woodlands, parks, and residential areas.
Behaviour
Cardinals feed on a variety of foods including seeds, leaf buds, flowers, berries, and fruit. Up to one-third of its summer diet can be insects. Its winter diet is 90 percent vegetable matter, especially large seeds. Winter flocks can be very large, up to 60 or 70 individuals in areas of abundance. Cardinals are noted for their loud, clear whistled songs, often sung from a high treetop song post. Females will counter sing, duetting with males—usually after the males have established territories and before nesting begins. Local variations and accents have been noted in cardinal songs.
