Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

One of our most familiar birds, Northern Cardinal is the official state bird of NC and Virginia (and a bunch of other states).

Immature male, Chapel Hill, NC 2/19/06.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

This adult male has his crest slicked back. Chapel Hill, NC 1/28/06.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Female, Chapel Hill, NC 2/8/06.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Not the clearest view, but this male Cardinal skulking behind a Rhododendron flower made me smile. Carroll Co., VA 7/2/05.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.