The Virginia state bird is the northern cardinal, adopted in 1950. Males have a bright red color and territorial behavior, while females are duller in color. They primarily eat seeds but also feed on fruits and insects. They build nests in concealed spots and lay smooth-shelled eggs in clutches of three to four. Both males and females participate in incubation and feeding of the young.
Virginia’s state bird is the cardinal or northern cardinal. It is a medium-sized songbird and was adopted on January 25, 1950 as the official state bird. Northern cardinals have a distinctive appearance, making them easy to identify. Although Virginia’s state bird is primarily granivorous, meaning its diet consists mostly of seeds, it also feeds on fruits and insects. Male northern cardinals are territorial and mark their territory with song.
This bird species displays differentiating physical and characteristic attributes between males and females. Male northern cardinals have a bright red color, an identifying crest, and mask-like black coloration on the face. Female cardinals are dull red-brown in color, with a crest and mask-like gray coloration on the face. The male cardinal sings in a loud, piercing whistle from an elevated position to announce his presence to other males, warning them to stay away from his territory. The loud song also serves as a warning to females and young when a predator is near the nest. Cardinals also emit a piercing noise to locate their mates when it is dark and visibility is low.
The Virginia state bird generally forages on the ground. He hops around while trying to spot things like snails, cicadas, grasshoppers, berries, oats, sunflower seeds, and beetles. It also sips maple sap from holes already drilled by bloodsuckers. During courtship, a cardinal pair practices a type of bonding in which the male gathers food and feeds it beak-to-beak to the female.
Female cardinals do most of the work needed to build the nest. Males may help by bringing nest materials such as twigs, bits of bark, grass, and pine needles. It may take three to nine days to build the nest, which is usually placed in a well-concealed spot in a low tree or in shrubbery. The female generally lays eggs one to six days after the completion of the nest. Virginia state bird eggs are smooth-shelled and white with a tinge of brown, blue, or green. A female lays eggs in clutches of three to four and incubates them for 12 to 13 days. Male cardinals participate in brood incubation and brood feeding as well, especially if the female is brooding another brood.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
