cardinal ????

by Arlene
(South Central PA)

We have cardinals in our yard all the time at the feeders. This one looked like a cardinal but had a dark brown head, and muted red and gray feathers like the female. Missing the tuft of feathers on the back of the head but bright beak like a cardinal and feeding, acting like a cardinal.

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cardinal ????

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Aug 30, 2012
 Unknown bird?
by: MKA

Like Arlene, I have a bird in my back yard in Illinois which is identical to the one she describes. I also have male and female cardinals at my feeder. I know what a female cardinal looks like and this particular bird does NOT resemble a female cardinal. There is NO tuft on the top top/back of the head. The WHOLE head is a dark color while the rest of the body is a rusty/brown color. I have been watching the birds for a couple of years now and this is the first time I have seen this bird at my feeders. Anyone have any comments????
Aug 30, 2012
 cardinal
by: Anonymous

it is a female northern cardinal. only the male is bright red.

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