|
|
|
Northern Cardinal
 |
| Length: |
7.5-9.5
inches |
Song: |
whoit cheer, whoit cheer,
cheer-cheer-cheer |
|
Wingspan: |
10-12
inches |
Behavior: |
solitary or in pairs during
breeding season |
|
Weight: |
1.6
ounces |
Breeding: |
monogamous |
|
Habitat: |
forest
edge, tropical
lowland, open forest |
Population: |
abundant and widespread in
woodland edges, undergrowth, thickets, and residential areas |
|
Migration: |
nonmigratory |
Feeders: |
cracked corn, sunflower seeds,
birdseed. Will bathe in birdbaths |
|
Appearance: |
female-buff brown
underparts, red wash on wings and tail, buffy olive upper parts, buffy
golden brown head and underparts, red tip, dusky lores and patch at
base of bill.
male-black mask through eyes, accentuated crest, red overall,
black patch at base of bill extends onto throat, cone shaped reddish
bill. |
|
Interesting Facts:
|
It is the official bird of
seven U.S. states and sings cheerful songs all year. Males fight other
birds and sometimes attack own reflection, like backyard feeders and
take food from hand. |
Compiled by
Austin, Middletown
Elementary School, Louisville, KY
Information from Birds of North America Smithsonian Handbook
By Fred J Alsop III, DK Publishing, Inc., 2001
Photos used
with permission
from National Fish and Wildlife Service –
http://images.fws.gov
Back
to Miles Park Bird Project home page |
