Cardinal: The Virginia State Bird

The cardinal is a very recognizable bird. Also known as the Virginia Nightingale, the Cardinal is state bird for my own home state of Virginia as well as six other states. Cardinals are also mascot to a number of sports teams. He has a crested or peaked head and is easily seen anywhere with his bright scarlet feathers. He is a bird who definitely gets noticed and admired. We only occasionally catch sight of a cardinal here in southwestern Virginia. These birds start out buff colored and hatch from light green colored eggs in a cup shape nest deep in shrubbery. Normally there are three or four eggs at a time, sometimes up to six eggs. Cardinals are found all over the U.S especially in the eastern states, but also Baja and Mexico as well as Canada. They originated in the southeast. Most of the western states are not graced with the their beauty. Cardinals were introduced to Los Angeles and Hawaii. They stay in their homes all year round so bird feeders are a big help to them and a welcome sight. If you would like to bring these birds to your yard set up a feeder for them. Pole mounted feeders are most attractive to this breed. Cardinals dine throughout the day and will sing all day. Sunflower seeds are their favorite, after those they will go for safflower seeds and white proso millet. They will stay in the area for as long as food and water are there. The Cardinal is also a long time symbol of Christmas cheer.

Standing between 71/2 -9 inches total, the male boosts brilliant red feathers and bill with a black face and throat. The female is tan with less red markings on wings, tail and crest. They inhabit woods, streams and gardens. They might also enjoy places that were once swampy areas. During the Cardinals courtship the male will feed the females seeds and things straight from his beak. Ah, love birds!When the babies are booted from the nest, they often follow their mother around on the ground for a couple of days before mustering up the courage to set out on their own. They eat much from the ground itself. They sing a cheer cheer song that like their appearance is also unique. The northern species breeds 2 or 3 times a year while others breed only once. The male will tend to the eggs while the female builds a nest for a second brood that she will tend to. This bird was once a coveted caged pet bird but it is now illegal to cage, take or kill them. Both sexes of cardinals, who belong to the finch family, love to sing and do so equally unlike most species of birds. The cardinal lives a good long life of 15 years or possibly more. If you are to discover a cardinal that has been banded you are asked to report the banding number to the Bird Banding Lab to insure and record their survival.

www.wild-bird-watching.com/Cardinal.html
www.americanbirdguide.com/cardinal.shtml