Kentucky State Bird

Cardinal (Redbird)

(Cardinalis cardinalis)

Adopted on February 26, 1926; Recodified 1942.

The cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, commonly known as the Redbird, became state bird of the Commonwealth of Kentuky during the legislative session in 1926 [KY Acts, Chapter 350, Senate Resolution No. 17; recodified in 1942 (KRS 2.080)].

Kentucky's State bird, the cardinal, is shared by six other states. These are Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Description of the Kentucky State Bird: Cardinal

The Cardinal is a type of finch that can be found in gardens, streamside thickets, mesquite patches, and woodlands throughout the east and southwest sections of the United States. Male northern cardinals are bright red medium sized birds with head crests, black bibs and masks and cone-shaped reddish bills. Females are light brown with reddish wings.

Color

Their distinctive color (scarlet for males, buffy brown and red for females), pronounced crest, heavy bill, and easily recognizable song make cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) some of the most readily identified birds in the state.

Reproduction

Cardinals build their nests in bushes. Their nests are usually about 1.5 meters (4 to 5 ft.) above the ground. The eggs are laid between the middle of April and the middle of August. Cardinals usually lay several clutches of eggs each season. Each clutch consists of between two and five whitish eggs with dark streaks and spots on them.

Food Habits

Cardinals usually feed on the ground or in low bushes. They eat a wide variety of insects, grains, wild fruits, and seeds. They are common birds around bird feeders.

Named

The cardinal was named by early American settlers, after Catholic cardinals who dress in bright red robes. These birds are strongly territorial and have a loud, whistling song.

Statute

Kentucky Revised Statutes, Title 1, Chapter 2, Section 2.080.

TITLE I - SOVEREIGNTY AND JURISDICTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
CHAPTER 2 - CITIZENSHIP, EMBLEMS, HOLIDAYS, AND TIME.
SECTION 2.080.

2.080 State bird.

The native redbird, commonly known as the Kentucky cardinal (cardinalis), is the official state bird of Kentucky.

Effective: October 1, 1942
History: Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 4618n.

Taxonomic Hierarchy of the Cardinal (Redbird)