They prefer thick underbrush for nesting. Cardinals have been expanding their range northward. Male northern cardinals are bright red medium sized birds with head crests, black bibs and masks and cone-shaped reddish bills.
Females are tannish-brown with reddish wings.
Cardinals usually nest 2 or 3 times a year. Eggs are 1 inch long and grayish or bluish-white with brown, purple or gray blotches. Both sexes in cardinals sing almost year-round. Cardinals are easily attracted to bird feeders, especially those containing sunflower seeds. A cardinal's nest consists of a tightly woven cup of roots, stems and twigs lined with fine grass and hair.