The Northern cardinal also commonly known as the red cardinal is a songbird native to North America. The adult males are a crimson red colour with a black face mask over the eyes. The females are fawn colored with mostly grey-brown tones and a slight reddish tint on the wings, crest and tail feathers. Both sexes have prominent raised head crests. They are ground feeders, hopping through the undergrowth in search of seeds and fruit, they will also eat insects, especially when the young first hatch. They are distributed throughout most of the eastern United States, parts of Canada and south through Mexico.

1. The Northern Cardinal is the state bird of seven U.S. states, more than any other species, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Viriginia and West Virginia. It is also the mascot of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and the Arizona Cardinals NFL team along with numerous colleges.
2. The Northern Cardinals name is thought to stem from the males bright red plumage and crest, resembling that of distinguished Catholic cardinals and dates back to the founding fathers.

• Length: 21–23.5 cm
• Wingspan: 25 to 31cm
• Habitat: Woodlands, forest edges, shrublands, and suburban areas including parks and gardens.
• Diet: Insects, worms and spiders. Fruits, berries and seeds.