Northern Cardinal Identification

Large, long-tailed songbird with a short, very thick bill and a prominent crest. Males are brilliant red with a black mask and throat.

Large, crested songbird with a short, thick bill. Females are pale brown overall with warm reddish tinges in the wings, tail, and crest.

A medium-sized songbird with a heavy bill and prominent crest. Adult male is a brilliant red with a black mask around the bill. Splits sunflower seeds with its bill and then uses its tongue to separate the shell from the seed.

Juveniles are similar to females, but have a gray to black bill.

Some birds lose all the feathers from their head at the same time, remaining bald until the feathers grow back.

Both females and males sing a loud series of clear whistles that can sound like the bird is singing cheer, cheer, cheer or birdie, birdie, birdie.

Common in yards and suburban areas.

Often sits with a hunched-over posture and with the tail pointed straight down.

Female sings alone and also in duet with male (as heard here).

Year-round resident that adds color to winter landscapes in the East.

Found in backyards, parks, woodlots, and shrubby forest edges.

Year-round resident throughout its range. Often sits upright with its tail pointed downwards giving it a hunchbacked look.