Above, Dec. 10, 2006--a female cardinal with a sunflower seed in her beak.

At left, Jun. 4, 2006, a female cardinal with a sunflower seed in her beak.

 

The size of the cardinal is 8-9 inches long from head to tip of tail. The wingspan is 10-12 inches and their weight between 1.5 and 1.7 ounces.

The male is red, the famle is grayish-tan with red accents. Cardinals have crests.

Cardinals eat seeds, fruits, buds, and insects.

source: http://www.birds.cornell.edu Obtained Feb. 23, 2007

At left and above left: A male cardinal standing on the frozen deck on Jan. 25, 2007 turned and jumped through the deck rails (2nd story deck) then flew to a nearby tree.

 

Brighter red males hold territories with denser vegetation, feed at higher rates, and have greater reproductive success than duller males.

source - http://www.birds.cornell.edu Obtained Feb. 23, 2007