Michigan

in the Great Lakes

Northern Cardinals

Did you know that Northern Cardinals get their red color from the food they eat? Northern Cardinals are birds known to eat fruits and berries containing carotenoids which are pigments that cause their feathers to be red. They also eat seeds and insects.

Northern Cardinals are prevalent in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan year round and are found but are scarcer in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They are also found in much of the eastern United States as well as other places.

The scientific name for the Northern Cardinal is Cardinalis cardinalis.

Click here to see more about Northern Cardinals and hear what they sound like.

Males and Females

Male Northern Cardinals have vibrant, red feathers and a black area around the eyes and bill.

Female Northern Cardinals have pale brownish feathers and some red on their tails and wings.