If you take a walk through a park, forest, or neighborhood in Indiana, you might spot a flash of bright red among the tree branches. This eye-catching creature is the Northern Cardinal, one of the most recognizable songbirds in North America. In fact, the Northern Cardinal is so popular that it was chosen as the official state bird of Indiana in 1933. Six other states have also selected this colorful bird as their state symbol!
Male and female Northern Cardinals look quite different from one another, a trait known as sexual dimorphism. The male cardinal is famous for its vibrant, fiery red feathers, complete with a dark black face mask that extends around its eyes and bill. Female cardinals are equally beautiful, but their feathers are mostly warm brownish-gray with subtle red accents on their wings, tail, and crest. Both males and females have a prominent crest of feathers on top of their heads that they can raise or lower depending on their mood. They also share a short, sturdy, cone-shaped orange beak, which is perfectly designed for cracking open tough seeds and nuts.
Unlike many other songbirds that fly south to warmer climates during the winter, Northern Cardinals are non-migratory. They live in Indiana year-round, bringing cheerful splashes of color to snowy winter landscapes. Cardinals thrive in a variety of habitats, including edge forests, shrubby fields, overgrown gardens, and suburban backyards. Their diet changes with the seasons. During the spring and summer, they feed on insects, wild berries, and fruit. In the cold winter months, they rely heavily on seeds and grains, often visiting backyard bird feeders filled with sunflower seeds.
Cardinals are also known for their powerful and melodic voices. Their songs consist of loud, clear whistles that often sound like "cheer, cheer, cheer" or "birdie, birdie, birdie." Interestingly, unlike most other songbird species where only the males sing, female Northern Cardinals also sing complex songs, often while sitting on their nests to communicate with their mates. Whether defending their territory or searching for food, these remarkable birds remain a cherished symbol of nature's beauty in Indiana.
