At home in the dogwood tree

Male cardinals are spectacular with their bright red plumage, but the females tend to blend into the scenery-- the better to protect their nesting babies.  One of the most popular birds in America, the cardinal is the state bird of seven eastern states-- Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia.

The bird’s family is named for their red plumage which is similar to the vestment of a Catholic cardinal.