The iconic crimson songbird, Cardinalis cardinalis, commonly known as the red cardinal, is a popular species found throughout much of the eastern half of the United States. It is so well-known and well-loved, that it is the state bird for seven US states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Red cardinals are medium-sized songbirds, typically measuring around 9 inches from beak to tail. The famed plumage color of the male red cardinal is bright, glowing red, with a black bandit-like mask around its beak. The female cardinal is similar in shape and size, but her feathers are typically brown with red hues displayed in the wings, tail, and crest.
