Illinois State Bird
Northern Cardinal

• Official Illinois State Bird Name: Cardinal
• American Ornithologists' Union Common Name: Northern Cardinal
• Family: Cardinalidae, Cardinals
• Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis
• Length: 8.75" (22 cm)
• Diet: Primarily insects, but also seeds & fruit.
• Voice: Listen to Northern Cardinal Song (recorded by Cornell Lab of Ornithology) Song a series of high, clear, sharp, mostly slurred whistles woit woit woit woit chew chew chew chew chew or pichew pichew tiw tiw tiw tiw tiw; many variations. Call a high, hard  tik; also a softer, rising twik.
• Habitat: Woodland edges, thickets, suburban gardens, towns, swamps.
• Displays: Male and female with outstretched necks and erect crests sway bodies from side to side while singing softly.
• Number of broods: 2, 3, occasionally 4 broods.
• Nest: In tree sapling, 1-15' above ground; compact and well lined to flimsy and scarcely lined; of weed stems, pliable twigs, bark strips, grass rootlets, with leaves and paper interwoven, lined with fine grass, hair.
• Eggs: Averages 3-4 grayish-, bluish-, greenish-white eggs, marked with browns, grays, purples. 1.0" (25 mm).
• Incubation period: 12-13 days
• Fledge: 9-10 days after hatching
• Longevity Record: 15 Years and 9 months (according to USGS Bird Banding Lab)

In 1928, Illinois school children selected the cardinal as the State Bird of Illinois. The General Assembly made that designation official in 1929.

Cardinals are considered one of America's favorite backyard birds and is the State Bird of six other states besides Illinois: North Carolina, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Illinois State Bird Books

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