| Length: 9 inches | Wingspan: 11.5 inches | Seasonality: Permanent Resident |
| ID Keys: Male unmistakable, with all red body and crest. Female also easily identified, with generally gray body with red washes, and distinctive crest. | ||
A favorite of many, the
Northern Cardinal is the state bird of 7 states. A common bird of the eastern
and southeastern U.S., the Northern Cardinal has expanded its range westward and
northward in the past
few decades, possibly due to availability of sunflower seeds and other items at
residential feeders. South Dakota currently lies at the northwestern edge of its
range.
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Northern Cardinal"
3) eNature.com: Northern Cardinal
 |
| South Dakota Status: Northern Cardinal populations have been expanding their range to the north and west, a trend that also seems to be occurring in South Dakota. Has now been occasionally found as far west as the Black Hills. |
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