West Virginia State Bird
Northern Cardinal

• Official West Virginia State Bird Name: Cardinal
• American Ornithologists' Union Common Name: Northern Cardinal
• Also Know As: Red Bird
• Family: Cardinalidae, Cardinals
• Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis
• Length: 8.75" (22 cm)
• Diet: Primarily insects, but also seeds & fruit.
• Voice: 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 bramble thickets or tree saplings, 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) 

The cardinal was made the official West Virginia State Bird by House Concurrent Resolution No. 12, adopted by the Legislature on March 7, 1949, authorizing a vote by pupils of public schools and civic organizations.

West Virginia Birds

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

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