The Northern Cardinal is West Virginia’s state bird, named in 1949. It is a medium-sized songbird with bright red feathers and a distinctive call. Cardinals mate for life and defend their territory and nests from predators.
West Virginia’s state bird is the Northern Cardinal, or Cardinalis cardinalis. It is also commonly referred to as the common cardinal, redbird, or simply cardinal. Citizens of the state voted to make the cardinal the state bird in 1949. It is also the state bird of neighboring Virginia, although West Virginians say they named the bird and five other US states first.
The northern cardinal is a songbird that is easily recognized by its crest and plumage. The male cardinal sports bright red feathers and crest with a black mask and red beak. The female of the species is not as showy, with brown feathers with a reddish sheen and a brown crest. The female also has a black face mask and a red beak. The showy plumage and mask are often cited as one of the reasons it was named the state bird of West Virginia.
The West Virginia state bird is not a migratory bird and can be seen year round in its habitat. It can be found from the northern United States to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Cardinals have been sighted as far west as New Mexico, although they are best established east of the Rocky Mountains.
The cardinal is considered a medium-sized bird and feeds mainly on seeds and insects. He is not fussy about his diet and is attracted to bird feeders, especially in the winter months. Cardinals often forage in pairs on the ground. They can be shy and wary of open spaces and normally stick to tree lines, dense foliage and shrubbery.
The cardinal’s chant is characteristic and easily identifiable. It consists of several detached chirps, often followed by higher-pitched tweets. The song is not difficult to duplicate by humans, and many birders often replicate the call to attract cardinals to observe. Cardinals are very territorial and will quickly come to investigate if they hear their song in their area. This vigilant defense of its territory is another reason the cardinal has been named the state bird of West Virginia.
These birds mate for life and normally reproduce twice a year. A typical nest will contain two to four eggs at a time. During the incubation period, the female will stay with the eggs and the male will forage for grain, which he will bring back and feed to the female.
Cardinals are preyed upon by hawks and shrikes, as well as some squirrels and owls. The nests are often targeted by snakes, jays, squirrels and chipmunks. Birds will aggressively defend their territory and nest.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
