Northern Cardinal Photo Gallery
Male
Large, long-tailed songbird with a short, very thick bill and a prominent crest. Males are brilliant red with a black mask and throat.
© Suzie McCann / Macaulay LibraryTexas, June 02, 2019Female
Large, crested songbird with a short, thick bill. Females are are pale brown overall with warm reddish tinges in the wings, tail, and crest.
© Peter F / Macaulay LibraryIndiana, January 11, 2020Adult female
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.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 06, 2022Not all videos have soundJuvenile
Juveniles are similar to females, but have a gray to black bill.
© Andrew Lyall / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 23, 2017Female
Some birds lose all the feathers from their head at the same time, remaining bald until the feathers grow back.
© William Kidwell / Macaulay LibrarySouth Carolina, July 22, 2015Adult male
Uses its hefty bill and tongue to extract seeds by cutting or crushing the shells.
© Matthew D. Medler / Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 27, 2014Not all videos have soundMale
A plump, brilliant red songbird with a crest that is common in yards and suburban areas.
© Tom Amico / Macaulay LibraryPennsylvania, March 15, 2017Male
Often sits with a hunched-over posture and with the tail pointed straight down.
© Paul Tavares / Macaulay LibraryOntario, February 08, 2011Adult male
Year-round resident throughout its range. Often sits upright with its tail pointed downwards giving it a hunchbacked look.
© Matthew D. Medler / Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 27, 2014Not all videos have soundFemale
Year-round resident that adds color to winter landscapes in the East.
© Wen Xu / Macaulay LibraryOntario, February 11, 2017Male
Found in backyards, parks, woodlots, and shrubby forest edges.
© Susan Carpenter / Macaulay LibraryOhio, April 04, 2017Adult male
Sings a clear ringing what, what, what often from exposed perches.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryTexasNot all videos have soundCompare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
Cardinals and Allies(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Cardinalidae)
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.