The cardinal is a beautiful bird found in North America. It is an active, medium-sized bird that is often found in backyards, parks, and even cities. The male is bright red with a black mask and small crest. The female is light brown with red feathers on her crest and wings. Both the male and female have thick bills for cracking seeds! Cardinals are members of the finch family. Males and females mate for life and often stay in the same area year-round.

Did you know that the cardinal is the official bird of seven different states? Two professional sports teams are called the "cardinals," and several college sports teams are called the "cardinals."