From Opus

Photo by SulairDH
Adult Male
Photo taken: Atlanta, GA, USA

Cardinalis cardinalis

Identification

All ages and sexes have crest and large, conical bill

Male

All red with black mask and chin. Wings have some gray. Red bill

Female

Brown overall with some red in wings, face, and tail. Red bill

Juvenile

Similar to female but bill is dark instead of red.

Length: 7.75 inches

Distribution

United States and Mexico.

Taxonomy

Habitat

Typical habitats are thickets and brushy areas, edges and clearings, riparian woodlands, parks, and residential areas.

Behaviour

Cardinals feed on a variety of foods including seeds, leaf buds, flowers, berries, and fruit. Up to one-third of its summer diet can be insects. Its winter diet is 90 percent vegetable matter, especially large seeds. Winter flocks can be very large, up to 60 or 70 individuals in areas of abundance. Cardinals are noted for their loud, clear whistled songs, often sung from a high treetop song post. Females will counter sing, duetting with males—usually after the males have established territories and before nesting begins. Local variations and accents have been noted in cardinal songs.

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