Ohio State Bird: Northern Cardinal
Fact-checked • Updated January 15, 2025
Ohio State Bird – Northern Cardinal
Ohio adopted the Northern Cardinal as the official state bird on March 2, 1933. Lawmakers noted its bright plumage and clear whistled song. Residents see the species year-round. Populations occur in all eighty-eight counties. Several other states also list this bird as a symbol.
Why Ohio Chose This Bird
Cardinals sang from backyards across Ohio by the early 1900s. Males perched in tall trees. You heard short whistled phrases like what-cheer-cheer-cheer or who-it who-it who-it. Bright red plumage stood out against winter snow. Year-round presence meant residents watched them in every season.
The General Assembly recognized the bird's popularity in 1933. Red coloring and song quality influenced the decision. Cardinals had spread through Ohio by the late 1800s after settlers cleared dense forests. Mixed habitat of woodlands, brush, and open areas provided good breeding conditions.
Other states wanted cardinals too. Kentucky adopted the species first in 1926. Illinois followed in 1929. Indiana and Ohio both designated the cardinal in 1933. Adaptability to human landscapes drove multiple states to pick this bird.
Legislative History
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Habitat Transformation
Northern Cardinals were rare in Ohio before the 19th century. Dense forest covered approximately 95% of the state and provided poor habitat for cardinals, which prefer mixed environments of woodlands and open areas. European settlers began clearing forests for fuel, farmland, and construction supplies. By the late 1800s, all of Ohio had become populated with cardinals. Deforestation created the edge habitat they needed.
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1933 Adoption
The Ohio General Assembly approved the cardinal as the official state bird on March 2, 1933. Legislators cited the bird's prominent red coloring, distinctive crest, clear song, and widespread presence. The designation made Ohio the third state to adopt the cardinal, following Kentucky and Illinois. Indiana passed identical legislation the same year.
What This Bird Represents
Year-Round Resident
Cardinals remain in Ohio through every season. Watch them visit feeders during January snowstorms when most other colorful birds have migrated south. This permanence connects residents to local wildlife regardless of weather. Males don't molt into dull winter plumage, so their scarlet feathers stand out against white backgrounds all year.
Adaptation Success
The species demonstrates successful adaptation to human-altered environments. Cardinals colonized Ohio as forests gave way to farms, towns, and suburbs. Mixed habitat created by settlement provided exactly what they needed—woodland edges, dense brush for nesting, and open areas for foraging. Population growth followed landscape transformation.
Winter Redbird
Some residents call them Winter Redbirds. Cardinals are the only bright red bird present during cold months when other species have departed. This visibility during Ohio's long winters made them familiar to generations of residents. Their cheerful appearance and song bring color and sound to stark winter landscapes.
Physical Characteristics
Size and Build
Northern Cardinals measure 8.3 to 9.3 inches long. Weight ranges from 1.5 to 1.7 ounces, averaging about 1.58 ounces. Wingspan stretches 9.8 to 12.2 inches. Males average slightly larger than females. Both sexes carry prominent pointed crests on their heads and thick, cone-shaped bills adapted for cracking seeds.
Male Coloration
Males display brilliant scarlet red plumage. A black facial mask covers the area around the eyes and extends to the throat region. The mask creates sharp contrast against the red feathers. Size comparison? About the same as a catbird but with a longer tail. That crest and red bill make identification easy even at a distance.
Female Coloration
Females wear grayish-brown or buff-brown plumage overall. Red appears only on the crest, wings, and tail feathers. A smaller black or gray mask shows on the face but less defined than on males. The heavy orange-red bill stands out against the duller body colors. This muted appearance helps females stay hidden from predators while nesting.
Juvenile Appearance
Young cardinals resemble adult females regardless of sex. They carry grayish-black bills instead of the orange-red color seen on adults. Males begin developing their scarlet plumage during the first fall molt. Bill color shifts from gray-black to orange-red as juveniles acquire adult feathers.
Behavior and Song
Vocalizations
Cardinals sing nearly year-round. Males produce clear, strong songs consisting of repeated short whistled phrases. Common patterns include what-cheer-cheer-cheer, who-it who-it who-it, or birdy-birdy-birdy. Females also sing—unusual among songbirds where males typically monopolize vocalization. Their songs sound similar but may be shorter or softer than male songs.
Song Location
Males usually sing from near the top of the tallest tree in their territory. This elevated position broadcasts sound across considerable distances. Cardinals also produce a sharp clink note as a call. Listen for singing most actively during breeding season but also on mild winter days when territorial boundaries begin forming again.
Territorial Defense
Males aggressively defend territories averaging four acres. Watch one chase intruding males through dense brush and across open yards. Cardinals sometimes attack their own reflections in windows, car mirrors, or other reflective surfaces, mistaking the image for a rival male. This behavior can continue for hours or days during peak breeding season.
Social Behavior
Cardinals form monogamous pairs during breeding season. Many pairs stay together for multiple years. Winter brings different social patterns. Cardinals may join mixed flocks with other species or form small groups at reliable food sources. Most individuals wander over widespread areas rather than strictly defend winter territories.
Habitat and Range
Ohio Distribution
Cardinals occupy all eighty-eight Ohio counties today. They live in both rural and urban settings, adapting well to human presence. Preferred habitat includes mixed areas of woodlands, brush, and forest edges. Dense shrubs and thick brush piles provide essential nesting cover. Parks, residential neighborhoods, and woodland margins all support breeding populations.
Historical Range Expansion
Cardinals were rare in pre-settlement Ohio. Dense old-growth forest that covered most of the state provided poor habitat. Forest clearing between the late 1700s and late 1800s transformed the landscape. Agricultural development created the mixed habitat cardinals prefer. By the late 1800s, cardinals had populated the entire state. This expansion resulted directly from human landscape modification.
Current Habitat Use
Woodlands with thick understory work best for nesting. Cardinals avoid deep forest interiors but thrive along edges where trees meet open areas. Suburban yards with dense shrubs attract them reliably. They visit feeders regularly but need nearby cover for quick escape from predators. Most cardinals live their entire lives within a relatively small area.
Seasonal Movements
Cardinals do not migrate. They remain in Ohio year-round as permanent residents. Winter survival depends on finding adequate food and shelter. Thick evergreen cover provides roosting sites during cold periods. Feeders stocked with sunflower seeds help many cardinals survive harsh winters. Some individuals may wander locally but don't undertake long-distance movements.
Diet and Feeding
Seed Preference
Cardinals eat seeds by nature. Their thick, cone-shaped beaks crack tough seed coats with ease. Sunflower seeds attract them reliably at feeders. Wild foods include various weed seeds, grass seeds, and waste grain found in agricultural areas. Cardinals often forage on the ground or in low bushes rather than high in trees.
Seasonal Diet Changes
Small fruits supplement seed intake throughout the year. Berries from dogwood, grape, blackberry, and similar plants appear in their diet regularly. Insects make up a smaller portion of adult food but become more important during breeding season. Beetles, caterpillars, and other insects provide protein for egg production.
Nestling Diet
Parents feed nestlings primarily insects. High protein content supports rapid growth of young birds. Both male and female bring food to the nest, though the female handles most feeding duties. As nestlings mature, parents gradually introduce more seeds into the diet before young become independent.
Feeding Behavior
Cardinals typically feed on or near the ground. Watch them hop along searching for fallen seeds beneath feeders. They also work through low vegetation picking seeds from dried flower heads. Cardinals visit feeders throughout the day but show peak activity during early morning and late afternoon hours.
Breeding and Nesting
Nesting Season
Cardinals begin nest building in April across Ohio. Females construct nests alone, usually in dense bushes or thick brush piles. The structure consists of leaves, twigs, grasses, and bark strips woven together. Nests typically sit less than eight feet off the ground. Location provides concealment from predators searching for eggs or nestlings.
Egg Laying and Incubation
Clutch size averages three or four eggs in Ohio. Eggs appear whitish with dark streaks and spots. Females handle all incubation duties over 12-13 days. Males bring food to incubating females and defend the nesting territory. Cardinals typically produce two or three broods each year, sometimes starting the next clutch while the male still feeds fledglings from the previous brood.
Raising Young
Nestlings hatch helpless and mostly naked. Both parents feed young after hatching, though females often begin incubating the next clutch while males care for fledglings. Young leave the nest about 10 days after hatching. The male continues feeding fledglings for approximately three more weeks while they learn to forage independently.
Lifespan
Most cardinals live only one year or less. A two or three-year-old bird represents a rare survivor. Multiple broods each year help offset high mortality rates. The oldest wild cardinal on record reached at least 15 years and 9 months. Captive birds have lived 28.5 years. Predators, disease, accidents, and starvation claim most individuals before they reach old age.
Interesting Facts
Fact 1 of 9
Seven U.S. states claim the Northern Cardinal as their state bird—more than any other species. Only the Northern Cardinal holds this distinction among all state birds.
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.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources • Accessed: November 30, 2025
State of Ohio Official Website • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Cornell Lab of Ornithology • Accessed: November 30, 2025
National Audubon Society • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Ohio History Central • Accessed: November 30, 2025
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