Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

 

Synonyms: Cardinalis virginianus

 

 

Cardinalis cardinalis occurs in eastern North America, Mexico, and northern Central America (from Minnesota, southern Ontario, and Quebec to Guatemala and Belize); introduced to Bermuda, California, and Hawaii. The range is expanding northward. Northern Cardinal inhabits edges and interior of temperate and subtropical forests, shrublands, hedgerows, urban and suburban parks and residential areas; up to 2,500 m. A mid-sized finch with a body length of 21-24 cm; weight 42-50 g. The male is crimson-red with a black face mask; the female is grayish-brown with a reddish tint on the wings, the crest, and the tail. Both sexes possess a prominent crest and an orange-red conical bill. The cup-shaped nest is made of twigs, bark strips, grasses, and leaves; usually hidden in tangles of vines or foliage, 0.5-10 m above the ground. The clutch 3-4 eggs; incubation 11-13 days. The young depart after 9-11 days. Northern Cardinal may raise 2-3 broods a year in the south. This species feeds on seeds, berries, and various insects.

 

		D40992 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D32448 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), female Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		7650 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male Long Point, Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		7669 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), female Long Point, Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D30598 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		7656 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male Long Point, Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		7651 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), female Long Point, Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D40993 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		7664 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male Long Point, Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		7668 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), female Long Point, Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D30601 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D30690 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), female Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		7649 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male Long Point, Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		7635 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male Long Point, Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D30605 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D32447 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D30517 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		7647 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male Long Point, Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D30699 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D30612 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
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