Male northern cardinals are bright red medium sized birds with head crests, black bibs and masks and cone-shaped reddish bills. Females are tannish-brown with reddish wings.

Sexual maturity : Less than 1 year
Mating season: Spring and early summer. Cardinals usually nest 2 or 3 times a year.
Breeding territory: 1 pair per 4 acres
Gestation: Eggs hatch in 12-13 days, the young fledge 9-10 days after that.
Number of young: 2-5, usually 3-4. Eggs are 1 inch long and grayish or bluish-white with brown, purple or gray blotches.
Diet: Seeds,friut and insects

Both sexes in cardinals sing almost year-round. Common calls include "cheer cheer cheer', "whit-chew whit-chew whit-chew and "purty purty purty". Cardinals are easily attracted to bird feeders, especially those containing sunflower seeds. A cardinal's nest consists of a tightly woven cup of roots, stems and twigs lined with fine grass and hair.

• Cardinals may form winter flocks of 60-70 birds.
  
  
• Males care for the first brood while the females are incubating a second clutch in a new nest.
  
  
• Females usually sing after males establish territory but before nesting starts.
  
  
• Females dull colors help camouflage them from predators. Males bright colors help attract a mate.
  
  
• Males are duller in winter.
  
  
• Male cardinals vigorously defend their territory. They have been known to attack their reflections in mirrors, windows and chrome. Sometimes they will even attack small red objects they mistake for other males.
  
  
• Most small birds only live for a year or two. One cardinal was caught almost 16 years after it was initially banded.
  
  
• Legend has it the brightly-colored male inspired the name for this bird, reminding people of cardinals in the Catholic Church who wore bright, red robes. Seven states have chosen the cardinal as their state bird: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia.