Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 7.75 inches
* Large, conical bill
* Crest
* Long tail

Adult male:

* Bright red plumage, dullest on back and wings
* Black around base of bill
* Red bill

Adult female:

* Reddish crest, wings and tail
* Brownish-gray upperparts
* Buffy underparts
* Red bill
* Juvenile like adult female but has dark bill and crest

Similar species:

The male Northern Cardinal is unmistakeable. Females and juveniles are similar to Pyrrhuloxia but Pyrrhuloxia has a yellow bill with a curved culmen and is grayer, less brown.