By: Brad Nifong & Kendra Potter

Adopted as the state bird by the 1933 General Assembly (Indiana code 1-2-8) The cardinal is also the state bird for: Illinois Kentucky North Carolina Ohio Virginia West Virginia

Cardinalis cardinalis received the scientific name Cardinalis virginianus “Virginia Cardinal” 1918 – scientific name changed to Richmondena cardinalis Charles Wallace Richmond 1983 – scientific name changed to Cardinalis cardinalis “Northern Cardinal” Refers to the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church

Mid-sized songbird Length: 20-23cm Wingspan: 25-31cm Weight: about 45 grams Color All born brown (above) and red (below), and look like the adult female Legs and feet are dark, pink-brown Iris of the eye is brown Diet can affect color, especially in the male

Male vs. Female Male Bright red with a black mask Slightly larger Territorial Female Dull in color (brown & gray) Has a few red tail & wing feathers

Pairs mate for life, and stay together year- round Male brings nest materials, and the female builds it (takes 3-9 days) Only use nest once Eggs are laid 1-6 days after nest is built Incubation takes days The young fledge days after hatching Can have 2-4 broods per year The male cares for each brood, while the female incubates new group of eggs Lifespan up to 15 years

90% weed, grains & fruit Beetles Cicada Grasshoppers Snails Wild fruit & berries Corn & oats Sunflower seeds Maple sap Young eat primarily insects directly from the mouth of dad.

Purdy, purdy, purdy purdy…whoit, whoit, whoit, whoit… What-cheer, what-cheer…wheet, wheet, wheet, wheet… Common call is a metallic chip W0

Found in residential areas Attracted to feeders Illegal to take, kill, or possess