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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. II
Field-journal plate: Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate II

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

Cardinalidae · Taxon 9083

Length8.3-9.1 in (21-23 cm)
Wingspan9.8-12.2 in (25-31 cm)
Weight1.5-1.7 oz (42-48 g)

Field marks

  1. Prominent pointed crest on the crown
  2. Short, very thick cone-shaped orange-red bill
  3. Adult male bright scarlet red overall with black mask and throat
  4. Adult female warm tan to olive-brown with reddish wings, tail, and crest
  5. Long tail and compact, heavy-bodied songbird proportions
  6. Dark eye set in the contrasting face pattern

HabitatDense shrubby cover in forest edges, hedgerows, overgrown fields, marshy thickets, parks, gardens, backyards, woodlots, and ornamental plantings; nests are usually hidden in dense foliage, shrubs, vines, or thickets.

BehaviorDiurnal, nonmigratory songbird that forages on or near the ground and in low shrubs, often in pairs; eats mostly seeds and fruit, adds insects, and feeds nestlings mainly insects. Both sexes sing clear whistles; breeding birds defend territories, while winter birds may gather in loose flocks.

Palette

scarlet redwarm tan-brownred-orangeblacksoft gray-brown