Northern Cardinal

Photo: Northern Cardinal//Junior Barnes

   The Northern Cardinal is a common bird throughout all of the midwest eastern US. The Northern Cardinal is the state bird of seven states including Ohio, but Ohio was the last of the seven to adopt it as state bird.

   The male Northern Cardinal posseses entirely bright red plumage, with th exception of a black mask.  The female, however is more drab, mainly being a buffy-tan color, except for it's orange bill, black mask, and a red-tipped crest and red-highlighted wings and tailfeathers.

   The diet of the Northern Cardinal consists mainly of seeds, but fruit and some insects will also be eaten. Young are fed mainly insects.

   Northern Cardinals are year-round residents throughout their entire range.

Female Northern Cardinal*

*Photo via Wikimedia Commons