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Northern Cardinal Male This little watercolor was simply executed, letting the white of the paper broadcast the rich plumage of the bright red bird with black accents. Both sexes are accomplished songsters that may be heard at any time of the year in rural and suburban backyards calling "pretty, pretty, pretty." Named after the red robes worn by Roman Catholic cardinals, the Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, ranges from the Dakotas, southern Ontario, and Nova Scotia south to the Gulf Coast and from southern Texas, Arizona, and southern California into Mexico, northern Guatemala, and Belize. It is found in woodlands, shrublands, swamps, and gardens. One of our more colorful songbirds, the northern cardinal has a large crest on its head, a mask on its face (black in the male and grey in the female), and a heavy, conical reddish-orange bill. The sexes have distinctive appearances; the male is entirely red whereas the female is grayish-tan with a red tail and wings. These medium-sized songbirds are winter fixtures at snow-covered birdfeeders throughout the northeastern United States. Seven US states list the popular Northern Cardinal as their State Bird. The original watercolor is in a private collection but limited edition prints and note cards are available. Click here for availability and price.