Northern Cardinal perched on a branch
Northern Cardinal perched on a branch

The Northern Cardinal can be seen mainly in southern Minnesota and across much of the U.S.. Because they do not migrate, they can be spotted year-round, even during harsh Minnesota winters. Both males and females are known to sing, producing up to 24 different song variations. Interestingly, the species gets its name from early European settlers, who thought the bright red plummage resembled the robes worn by Roman Catholic Priests