The northern cardinal is the state bird of Illinois and six other eastern US states due to its abundance and recognizable bright red coloration. It was chosen by schoolchildren in a contest and adopted in 1929. Cardinals can be found in various habitats, including backyards, and are known to frequent bird feeders. Male cardinals are bright crimson with a noticeable crest, while females are brownish gray with some red feathers. Cardinals do not migrate and can be seen year-round, even in winter.
Illinois’ state bird is the northern cardinal, or Cardinalis cardinalis, which was adopted in the late 1920s. This is also the state bird of several other states in the eastern United States, as it is so abundant. It can be found in many different habitat types, including residential backyards. The adult males of this species are very recognizable due to their bright red colouration.
In 1928, a women’s club decided that the Illinois state bird should be chosen. To accomplish this task, they enlisted the help of schoolchildren. Every school in the state was given a list of birds to choose from, and the Cardinal won by nearly 40,000 votes. Other birds on the list included the bluebird, lark, quail and oriole. During the summer of 1929, however, Illinois officially adopted the cardinal as its state bird.
Illinois was the first state to adopt the cardinal as the official state bird. Six other states, however, have the same state bird. These states are Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia.
In addition to the bright colouration, cardinal was also chosen because it is very abundant there. In fact, it is present across much of the eastern half of the United States. It can also be found in the southeastern parts of Canada, as well as eastern parts of Mexico. The cardinal has also been introduced to parts of California and Hawaii.
Cardinals are often found in dense forests. Although they seem to prefer dense woodlands, they can also be found in swamps and parks. Many people can also see them in their backyards. The Illinois state bird is known to frequent resident bird feeders, especially those containing sunflower seeds.
The most striking aspect of the Illinois state bird is its color. Male cardinals are bright crimson in color. They also have a very noticeable crest, or tuft, of feathers on top of their heads. A black area surrounds their eyes are the red beak. Females are a little less showy, with brownish gray feathers. Typically, only the wings, tail, crest and beak are red.
In many areas, the Illinois state bird can be seen year-round, even in the winter. They do not migrate, like some other birds, and are often even more noticeable against a background of white snow. In fact, they can even be seen in large groups during the cold months.
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