Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis

The Northern Cardinal, also called Common Cardinal and Red Cardinal, is native to southern Canada, most of east and central USA and Mexico. There are several subspecies over the range.

The male (above) is scarlet red with a black face. Both male and female have erectable crests. They usually both have bright red beaks.

The female (above) is a light mousy grey-brown with pink-tinged wings, tail and crest.

The Northern Cardinal is not closely related to birds in the genus Paroaria also known as "Cardinals," such as the Pope and Red-crested Cardinals. The name "Northern" was given to separate it from these "southern cardinals," although the Vermilion Cardinal (Cardinalis phoeniceus), native to South America, is closely related to the Northern.

It is also related to the Grosbeaks.