Northern Illinois | 12/04/2019 11:46 am Local Time | Cloudy 33°F Light Winds
In Search of Snowbirds | Male Cardinal In this image, the ice makes an interesting background for the brilliant reds in the Cardinal. A Male Cardinal’s brilliant red body can cheer us up, particularly when viewed against the snow. Cardinals don’t migrate and don’t molt into a dull plumage. They stay breathtakingly beautiful against winter’s snow.
The Back Story With ice and snow covering everything, maneuvering to get the angle on this image was much harder than the simple click at the end.
Quick Facts…
| Male Cardinal … brilliant red all over, with a reddish bill, and black face mask. | |
| Habitat | Woodland edges in thickets and bushes. Inhabited areas like backyards and parks. |
| Range | Year around in Northern Illinois |
| Nest | Well hidden in dense shrubs, vines, or low trees. |
| Diet | Varied diet of mostly seeds and berries as well as many insects like beetles, grasshoppers, etc. |
| Behavior | Sits low in shrubs & trees. Forages on or near the ground and bird feeders. Travel in pairs. |
| Size | Length: 8.3-9.1 in | Weight: 1.5-1.7 oz | Wingspan: 9.8-12.2 in |
