Here are the latest highlights on the Northern cardinal:
Status and range: The Northern cardinal remains widespread and stable across eastern North America, with habitats ranging from urban yards to dense brush and forest edges. It is a nonmigratory species, so individuals are present year-round in many areas, including parts of Canada and the southern United States. This stability is reflected in its continued status as a common and beloved backyard bird.[2][6]
Population and conservation: The species is categorized as of least concern due to a large, stable population and broad geographic range, aided by adaptability to human-altered landscapes and successful reproduction. Several sources note its expanding range northward in some regions, often tied to climate change and suburban feeder networks.[6][2]
Cultural and official status: The cardinal’s striking red plumage and iconic crest endear it to many observers; seven eastern U.S. states designate it as their official state bird, underscoring its cultural prominence. The bird is commonly cited in field guides and educational resources for its conspicuous appearance and song.[4][2][6]
Quick facts for birdwatchers: Males are vivid red with a distinct crest; females are browner but still show a crest and red highlights. They are not migratory and can be heard year-round with melodic, flute-like songs, making them a staple of backyard birding. They are also notable for their aggressive territorial behavior during the breeding season, which is common among many cardinalid species.[1][2][6]
Illustration example
Would you like me to pull a current range map or a brief species-care guide for Northern cardinals in your region (Copenhagen, DK) or nearby areas? Note: cardinals are native to North America, so local updates in Copenhagen would focus on sightings as visitors or vagrants rather than resident populations.[2]
One of our most popular birds, the Northern Cardinal, is the official state bird of no fewer than seven eastern states. Abundant in the Southeast, it has been extending its range northward for...
www.audubon.orgThe male Northern Cardinal is perhaps responsible for getting more people to open up a field guide than any other bird. They’re a perfect combination of familiarity, conspicuousness, and style: a shade of red you can’t take your eyes off. Even the brown females sport a sharp crest and warm red accents. Cardinals don’t migrate and they don’t molt into a dull plumage, so they’re still breathtaking in winter’s snowy backyards. In summer, their sweet whistles are one of the first sounds of the...
www.allaboutbirds.orgWhat’s in a name? Who knows, but this bird has a whole bunch of them.
www.audubon.orgThe Northern Cardinal has a US population estimated to be more than 90 million birds and is in no current danger of extinction.
www.nrcm.orgFew birds are so familiar and well-loved as the Northern Cardinal. The male "Redbird" is unmistakable thanks to its distinctive crest and vivid red plumage.
abcbirds.orgThe northern cardinal is a common nonmigratory North American songbird species best known for its bright-red plumage and classified in the family Cardinalidae (order Passeriformes). It can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including tall brush, dense thickets and vines, urban parks, deciduous forest edges, and urban backyards.
www.britannica.comIllustration by Lauren Richelieu. From the Winter 2025 issue of Living Bird magazine. Subscribe now. When 2024–25 Bartels Science Illustrator Lauren Richelieu was asked to create art for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s holiday card, her mind went immediately to the Northern Cardinal. The
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