Northern Cardinal

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Even people who aren't bird watchers can identify this one and many claim it as their favorite bird.

7 US states claim it as their state bird.

male Northern Cardinal

They are called Cardinals because the bird’s bright red plumage reminded people of the crimson robes and caps worn by the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church. A group of Northern Cardinals can even be referred to as a college, conclave, or Vatican.

Since Cardinals do not migrate, they usually stay in their established territory throughout the year. I love that I can refer to them as 'my' Cardinals and know that they are likely always the same pair that come to my feeders early each morning and late each evening.

Once a male and female cardinal form a pair bond, they will remain together for life. When you see one bird, their partner is not far away. They often raise 2-3 broods each season.

female Northern Cardinal

This female Cardinal is sitting on 3 eggs right now. She built her nest in the lilac bush and it is practically touching the glass of my bedroom window. It has really been fun to watch her and I can't wait until the eggs hatch!
female Cardinal on her nest

hive-106444 cardinal bird nature photography
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57 comments
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lovely bright colours , so they mate for life just like swans .

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The male takes good care of his mate. We were laughing today at a pair that were sitting side by side on the ground and he was feeding her sunflower seeds. She was sitting in the same pile of seeds and was perfectly capable of getting her own! Maybe he was rewarding her for all the work she is doing keeping those eggs warm!

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just like pouring another glass of whine at the diner table for her 🍷

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7 US states claim it as their state bird.

The Cardinals?

I thought so far that the national bird of the USA is the bald eagle (in every state of the USA).

If some of the states choose another bird as their state bird, then today I learned something new and surprising.

By the way, the Cardinals are also beautiful birds.

!LUV.

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The bald eagle is the National bird for everyone in the US, but then each state has its own bird and flower as a state symbol. Wisconsin's state bird is the Robin and the state flower is a violet. We even have a state tree, fish, and mineral etc!

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These are beautiful pictures of birds of different kinds. All the birds look somehow alike with little differences.

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Very beautiful bird. Especially, it's very weird to see red birds in my country. You didn't say anything about their tone singing. Since they hatch close to homes, they should be very familiar, like sparrows that are everywhere. We can recognize a bird by how he sings without having to see it. I'm curious about the cardinal. Good pics like all of your bird posts.

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It's easy to recognize their Cheer Cheer Cheer call. The peak of their singing is this time of year

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Ok, not only is the color beautiful the singing too.

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It's a beautiful bird. The red color is a beautiful shade, especially in the male. It's no wonder seven states claim it as their bird.

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(Edited)

They are stunning. I love seeing them in the winter against the snow.
!INDEED

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Get photos. Can't wait to see the chicks! We have a pair that hangs out around our house. Haven't figured out exactly where they nest.

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It's difficult to get through the window shots of the nest. I'll sure be trying, though!
!INDEED

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Too bad I don't have them here, they are gorgeous! Love the bright colour. !LUV

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They are stunning. I wish we had hoopoes and azure winged magpies!

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We should probably do an exchange program 🤣🤣🤣🤣

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Greetings queen @melinda010100, beautiful birds, here we can find the red cardinal, it is truly beautiful, as are the other species of cardinals... A big hug.

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That certainly such a beautiful birds, and what a way to name the bird.
They even called the flock as Vatican. what a name for them.
!PIZZA !LUV !LOLZ

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Calling a flock of birds a Vatican is rather clever, when they are all red cardinals! 😅
!INDEED

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Namaste🙏 Ma'am, Red Cardinal is beautiful. it's difficult to take bird pic but You managed it and done beautiful photography. Happy to see new and unknown species of birds from your album these days🤩
!INDEED !PIZZA

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It is the best time of year for bird photos! The leaves on the trees are not too big yet and so many birds are on the move traveling to nesting grounds

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Oky, Then waiting for more blogs with different birds photos in coming days😍 !INDEED

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Very cool! That's fun that they built the nest right next to your window! I don't know if I've ever seen one of those, they are pretty. The first time I saw a cardinal was in Tucson, Arizona and it was sitting on top of a saguaro cactus. They really are a pretty red bird!

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I remember being shocked at seeing a Cardinal in a palm tree in AZ. I had always assumed they were an eastern bird.
The mama Cardinal has come to terms with me living in my house! She no longer flies away every time she sees movement on the other side of the window

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I wouldn't have thought they liked the desert either, but in winter it's a place to over winter. Good that the mother bird finally has gotten used to you and doesn't see you as a threat!

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The bird is beautiful. The pictures are clean and clear, I don't know how you managed to capture different angles of the virds

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