Perching

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal thumbnail

Length: 9 in. (22 cm )

This beautiful bird is a common garden species in the east but almost completely restricted to desert scrub and riparian areas in the west. Its huge bill is used to crack seeds and catch insects. The nest is small, placed in a low bush or shrubbery, and loosely constructed of stems, twigs and leaves. Both the male and female sing. In the winter Cardinals often form small family flocks.\r\n

The four-digit banding code is NOCA.

Male | Robert Shantz

Female | Richard Ditch

Male | CJ Kazilek

Desert

Riparian / River forest

Shrubs

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Bird Sound Type: Twittering
Sex of Bird: Male

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Download Sound

Bird Sound Type: Twittering
Sex of Bird: Male

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Bird Sound Type: Twittering
Sex of Bird: Male

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Bird Sound Type: Chirping
Sex of Bird: Male

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Download Sound

Bird Sound Type: Chirping
Sex of Bird: Male

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View Citation

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

Article: Northern Cardinal
Author(s): Dr. Biology
Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
Date published: July 13, 2017
Date accessed: January 12, 2025
Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/northern-cardinal

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, July 13). Northern Cardinal. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved January 12, 2025 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/northern-cardinal

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Northern Cardinal". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 July, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/northern-cardinal

For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Northern Cardinal". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 12 Jan 2025. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/northern-cardinal

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/

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