Indiana State Bird: Northern Cardinal
Fact-checked • Updated November 25, 2025
Indiana State Bird – Northern Cardinal
Indiana designated the Northern Cardinal as its official state bird on March 2, 1933. The Indiana General Assembly made the selection during the Great Depression. Residents see the species in every season. Adults show red plumage that contrasts with winter landscapes. Indiana shares this bird with six states across the eastern United States.
Why Indiana Chose the Northern Cardinal as State Bird
Indiana made the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) its official state bird on March 2, 1933. Governor Paul V. McNutt signed the legislation. The Indiana General Assembly passed the bill without opposition.
Indiana shares the Northern Cardinal with six other states. Illinois adopted it in 1929. Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia all picked the cardinal too. This makes it America's most popular state bird.
Why did Indiana pick a bird shared by so many states? The cardinal lives in Indiana year-round. Its brilliant red color stands out against Indiana snow. No other Indiana bird shows such vibrant coloring in winter.
The timing mattered too. Indiana selected its state bird during the Great Depression in 1933. The cardinal's cheerful song and bright color lifted spirits. Indiana residents needed hope during those difficult years.
Cardinals thrive across Indiana from cities to forests. Indianapolis residents see them at backyard feeders. Rural Indiana farmers spot them along fence rows. The bird's adaptability to Indiana habitats made it widely recognized.
History of Adoption: How Cardinal Became Indiana's Symbol
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Pre-1933 — No Official Bird
Indiana lacked official state symbols through the 1920s. Other Midwest states began selecting state birds. Illinois chose the cardinal in 1929. Indiana citizens wanted their own symbol.
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Early 1930s — Growing Interest
Garden clubs across Indiana advocated for a state bird. The Indiana Audubon Society supported the movement. Teachers used the idea in Indiana classrooms. Students learned about native Indiana birds.
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Winter 1932-1933 — Legislative Push
Indiana legislators introduced a bill naming the cardinal. The proposal cited the bird's year-round presence. Its bright color during winter impressed lawmakers. Support came from both political parties.
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March 2, 1933 — Official Adoption
The Indiana General Assembly passed the state bird bill. Governor Paul V. McNutt signed it the same day. The cardinal became Indiana's legal state bird.
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Post-1933 — Continued Popularity
Other states followed Indiana's lead with the cardinal. Six more states eventually picked the same bird. Indiana never objected to sharing its choice. The cardinal's popularity proved Indiana right.
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Current Status
Indiana Code still designates the Northern Cardinal today. The bird appears on Indiana tourist materials. Cardinals remain common throughout the Hoosier State.
What the Northern Cardinal Means to Indiana
Hope During Hard Times
Indiana picked the cardinal during America's worst economic crisis. The bright red bird symbolized hope in 1933. Its cheerful song encouraged struggling Indiana families. That meaning still resonates today.
Year-Round Resilience
Cardinals endure Indiana's harsh winters without migrating. They survive snow, ice, and bitter cold. This toughness mirrors Indiana residents' determination. The bird represents staying power through difficult seasons.
Hoosier Hospitality
Cardinals visit Indiana bird feeders regularly. They accept help from people during winter. This friendly behavior matches Indiana's reputation for hospitality. The bird brings joy to Indiana backyards.
Natural Beauty
The male cardinal's brilliant red catches every eye. That vivid color brightens Indiana landscapes. Cardinals prove that striking beauty exists in everyday Indiana life. You don't need exotic birds when cardinals live here.
Physical Characteristics of Indiana's Northern Cardinal
Male Cardinal Appearance
Brilliant red covers the entire body. A pointed crest tops the head. Black mask surrounds the thick orange-red bill. Red extends to wing and tail feathers. This makes males unmistakable in Indiana.
Female Cardinal Coloring
Pale brown body with warm reddish tinges. Red highlights appear on wings, tail, and crest. Same black mask and orange bill as males. Less conspicuous coloring protects nesting females.
Juvenile Cardinals
Young birds resemble adult females. Dark gray-black bills instead of bright orange. Adult plumage develops after first molt. Indiana juveniles gain full color by fall.
Seasonal Plumage Changes
Cardinals don't change colors with seasons. Males stay bright red year-round. This makes them especially striking against Indiana snow. Worn feathers look duller until fall molt.
Distinctive Features
The pointed crest raises and lowers with mood. Strong conical bill cracks seeds easily. Short, rounded wings suit woodland habitats. Long tail provides balance while perching.
Behavior & Habits of the Northern Cardinal
Song and Calls
Males sing clear whistled phrases from high perches. Common songs sound like 'cheer-cheer-cheer' or 'birdy-birdy-birdy.' Female cardinals sing too — rare among North American songbirds. Indiana residents hear cardinal songs year-round, even in winter.
Dawn Singing
Male cardinals start singing before sunrise in Indiana. They claim territories with loud songs. This dawn chorus continues through breeding season. Cardinals sing more than most other Indiana birds.
Territorial Behavior
Males defend breeding territories aggressively. They attack their reflections in Indiana windows and car mirrors. The bird mistakes its reflection for a rival male. This behavior sometimes lasts for weeks.
Feeding Habits
Strong bills crack sunflower seeds, corn, and nuts. Cardinals prefer eating on or near the ground. Winter flocks gather at Indiana bird feeders. Summer diet includes beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars.
Pair Bonding
Cardinals often mate for life in Indiana. Pairs stay together through winter. Males feed females during courtship. Both parents feed nestlings after hatching.
Nesting in Indiana
Females build cup nests in dense shrubs or small trees. Nests appear 3-10 feet above ground. Indiana pairs nest from April through August. Females lay 2-5 eggs per clutch. Indiana cardinals often raise 2-3 broods per summer.
Habitat & Conservation in Indiana
Where to Find Cardinals in Indiana
Cardinals live throughout Indiana year-round. Woodland edges provide ideal habitat. Suburban Indianapolis neighborhoods attract many pairs. Rural Indiana fence rows and thickets host cardinals. State parks across Indiana offer reliable viewing.
Habitat Requirements
Dense shrubs for nesting are essential. Cardinals need areas with thick cover. Bird feeders bring them to Indiana yards. Shrubby understory in forests provides food and shelter.
Range Expansion
Cardinals expanded northward over the past century. Bird feeders helped them survive northern winters. The species now breeds across southern Canada. Indiana always sat within their natural range.
Conservation Status in Indiana
Northern Cardinals rate as Least Concern globally. Indiana populations remain strong and stable. The species thrives in developed areas. Cardinals benefit from Indiana suburbs.
Threats in Indiana
Window strikes kill many Indiana cardinals. Outdoor cats prey on ground-feeding birds. Severe ice storms coat seeds that cardinals eat. Habitat loss affects some rural Indiana populations.
How to Help Cardinals in Indiana
- Plant native Indiana shrubs like dogwood and elderberry
- Provide sunflower seeds at bird feeders year-round
- Install window decals to prevent bird strikes
- Keep cats indoors, especially during nesting season
- Leave dense shrubs unpruned for nesting cover
- Provide fresh water in heated birdbaths during Indiana winters
- Avoid pesticides that kill insect food sources
- Plant berry-producing shrubs for winter food
- Create brush piles for winter shelter
- Support Indiana habitat conservation programs
Interesting Facts About Indiana's Northern Cardinal
Fact 1 of 14
Indiana shares the cardinal with six other states — more than any other state bird
Northern Cardinal Songs & Calls
Hear the clear whistles and sharp calls of the Northern Cardinal. These field recordings capture their distinctive voice in natural habitat.
Audio licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Also the State Bird of:
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records and scientific databases.
Official Indiana state law designating the Northern Cardinal as state bird. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Comprehensive scientific information on Northern Cardinal identification, behavior, and ecology. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
State bird conservation organization with cardinal information and citizen science programs. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Species profile with range maps, photos, and conservation information. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
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