Northern Cardinal Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  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.

  Relative Size

  Slightly smaller than an American Robin

  between sparrow and robin

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 8.3-9.1 in (21-23 cm)
    • Weight: 1.5-1.7 oz (42-48 g)
    • Wingspan: 9.8-12.2 in (25-31 cm)

  © Michel Laquerre / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  Male cardinals are brilliant red all over, with a reddish bill and black face immediately around the bill. Females are pale brown overall with warm reddish tinges in the wings, tail, and crest. They have the same black face and red-orange bill.

• Behavior

  Northern Cardinals tend to sit low in shrubs and trees or forage on or near the ground, often in pairs. They are common at bird feeders but may be inconspicuous away from them, at least until you learn their loud, metallic chip note.
• Habitat

  Look for Northern Cardinals in inhabited areas such as backyards, parks, woodlots, and shrubby forest edges. Northern Cardinals nest in dense tangles of shrubs and vines.