Northern Cardinal

John James Audubon said, "In richness of plumage, elegance of motion and strength of song, this species surpasses all its kindred in the United States."






This is a Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, a common bird at the ranch. Males are brilliant red with a red/orange bill, crested head, and black mask. Females are similar shape and size with but are brown/gray in color. Juveniles look similar to females but have a dark, dusky bill.

Cardinals like to sit low in shrubs or trees and forage on or near the ground eating seeds, insects, and fruits.

Most female North American songbirds do not sing but female cardinals are one of the few exceptions.

These birds fiercely defend their territories in spring and early summer which is why they often run into windows or other reflective surfaces. They may spend hours fighting the imaginary intruder.

A group of cardinals is called a "college", "conclave", "deck", "radiance", or (no kidding!) a "Vatican" of cardinals. The Latin word cardinalis means "important".