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 are pale brown overall with warm reddish tinges in the wings, tail, and crest.
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.
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.
Uses its hefty bill and tongue to extract seeds by cutting or crushing the shells.
A plump, brilliant red songbird with a crest that is common in yards and suburban areas.
Often sits with a hunched-over posture and with the tail pointed straight down.
Year-round resident throughout its range. Often sits upright with its tail pointed downwards giving it a hunchbacked look.
Year-round resident that adds color to winter landscapes in the East.
Click on an image to compare
The Northern Cardinal is a fairly large, long-tailed songbird with a short, very thick bill and a prominent crest. Cardinals often sit with a hunched-over posture and with the tail pointed straight down.
Slightly smaller than an American Robin
between sparrow and robinThe Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.
