Facts about Northern Cardinal

1. 06

   Northern Cardinals can live up to 15 years in the wild, with one banded individual documented surviving over 15 years in captivity.

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2. 05

   In 1918, the Northern Cardinal became the official state bird of Kentucky, the first state to adopt it, and seven additional states followed by 2023.

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3. 04

   The Northern Cardinal's thick, conical bill generates bite forces exceeding 50 pounds per square inch, enabling it to crack open tough seeds that other songbirds cannot.

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4. 03

   A Northern Cardinal pair can raise up to three broods per breeding season, with clutch sizes typically ranging from three to four eggs.

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5. 02

   Both male and female Northern Cardinals sing, making them unusual among North American songbirds where typically only males vocalize.

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6. 01

   Bright red plumage in male Northern Cardinals contains carotenoid pigments derived from their diet of seeds and berries.

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