Virginia wildlife
Northern Cardinal (pair)
Cardinalis cardinalis
Males bright red, females tan with red bill; non-migratory
See the Northern Cardinal (pair) up close
Best months
Jan · Feb · Mar
Early morning or late afternoon; listen for whistled songs. Check the official park report for recent sightings.
Where to look
Shenandoah National Park (holly bushes, forest edges)Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (shrubby wetlands)Prince William Forest Park (deciduous understory)
Conservation status
Common year-round resident, widespread in Virginia
Good to know
What do cardinals eat?
Seeds, fruits, and insects.
Do cardinals migrate?
No, they stay year-round.
Make it a trip
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