Skip to main content

Northern Cardinal (juvenile female)

Cardinalis cardinalis

Photo by Jake Barnes
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Week0
report

30.2403, -95.5055

Field Notes

Description:

The Northern Cardinal is a mid-sized songbird with a body length of 20–23.5 cm (7.9–9.3 in) and a wingspan of 25–31 cm (9.8–12 in). The adult weighs from 33.6–65 g (1.19–2.3 oz), with an average 44.8 g (1.58 oz). The male averages slightly larger than the female. The adult male is a brilliant crimson red color with a black face mask over the eyes, extending to the upper chest. The color becomes duller and darker on the back and wings. The female is fawn, with mostly grayish-brown tones and a slight reddish tint on the wings, the crest, and the tail feathers. The face mask of the female is gray to black and is less defined than that of the male. Both sexes possess prominent raised crests and bright coral-colored beaks. The beak is cone-shaped and strong. Young birds, both male and female, show the coloring similar to the adult female until the fall, when they molt and grow adult feathers. They are brown above and red-brown below, with brick-colored crest, forehead, wings, and tail. The legs and feet are a dark pink-brown. The iris of the eye is brown.

Habitat:

The Northern Cardinal is abundant across the eastern United States from Maine to Texas and in Canada in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Its range extends west to the U.S.-Mexico border and south through Mexico to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, northern Guatemala, and northern Belize. An allopatric population is found on the Pacific slope of Mexico from Jalisco to Oaxaca; note that this population is not shown on the range map. The species was introduced to Bermuda in 1700. It has also been introduced in Hawaii and southern California. Its natural habitat is woodlands, gardens, shrublands, and swamps. This bird is a permanent resident throughout its range, although it may relocate to avoid extreme weather or if food is scarce.

Species ID Suggestions

Female Cardinal

Pyrrhuloxia or Desert Cardinal

Cardinalis sinuatus

Northern Cardinal (female)

Cardinalis cardinalis

Comments (4)

Do you think it is just a juvenile female? Several other had came up when this one was still outside and the beak and around the eyes looks really different. The beak is darker on this one and there isn't the definite black color around the beak and eyes
Pyrrhuloxiae have shorter, stubbier bills with a more decurved culmen.
I was thinking some kind of cardinal or even titmouse because there were a few around also and were about the same size. I'll upload more pictures today though
If I have that ID right, I'm guessing this is a female. She seems just a little too North of her normal range though. If you ever see Liam on PN, send him the link and ask him to confirm.

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon