The Northern Cardinal is one of North America’s most dazzling backyard birds—an all‑season splash of color whose bright plumage, bold personality, and cheerful songs make it a perfect subject for a merry, educational introduction. Its vivid red feathers, year‑round presence, and early‑morning whistles are all well‑documented traits. The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is beloved across the eastern and central United States for its brilliant colors and spirited behavior. According to ornithologists, males keep their fiery red plumage all year, even in winter snow, which is one reason they appear so often on holiday cards and decorations. Males shine with a vivid red coat and sport a bold black face patch that makes their red feathers pop even more, while females wear warm brown with red accents. They're among the first birds to sing at dawn in summer and plus, they don’t migrate, so you can enjoy them in every season. heir red feathers stand out beautifully against snowy backdrops and are often the first birds at feeders in the morning and the last at night