The Northern Cardinal, with its striking plumage and distinctive crest, is a widely recognized bird across North America. Many people wonder if this iconic bird, so familiar in other parts of the country, can also be found in the diverse landscapes of Colorado.
Cardinals in Colorado: A Rare Occurrence
Northern Cardinals are not considered native or common residents of Colorado. Their primary geographical range extends through the eastern and central United States, southeastern Canada, and south into Mexico, typically east of the Rocky Mountains. While extremely rare, occasional sightings of Northern Cardinals have been recorded in Colorado. These sightings are usually attributed to vagrancy, where individual birds stray far beyond their typical distribution.
Colorado’s environment generally lacks the dense, shrub-and-sapling habitats with thick, viney tangles that Northern Cardinals prefer for nesting. Despite this, some localized populations have begun to establish in areas along river corridors in eastern Colorado, suggesting a gradual expansion. However, Northern Cardinal observations in Colorado remain minimal, indicating they are still an uncommon local resident rather than a widespread species.
Common Red Birds in Colorado
Many red or reddish-colored bird species are commonly found in Colorado and are often mistaken for the Northern Cardinal.
House Finch
Male House Finches exhibit rosy-red plumage around their heads and upper breasts, transitioning to brown streaks on their body. Unlike the cardinal, House Finches lack a prominent crest and possess a conical beak for consuming seeds, and their coloration is less uniform and vibrant red. They are year-round residents and are frequently seen in residential areas and at bird feeders.
Pine Grosbeak
Another species, the Pine Grosbeak, features a rose-red body in males, complemented by dark wings with two distinct white wing bars. These birds have a stubby, almost parrot-like bill, differing from the cardinal’s pointed, cone-shaped beak. While found in high-mountain habitats, they can occasionally appear in other areas.
Summer Tanager
The male Summer Tanager displays a uniform rosy-red coloration across its body without the black face mask or crest characteristic of a male Northern Cardinal. Its bill is also longer, straighter, and lighter in color than the cardinal’s thick, reddish bill. Female Summer Tanagers are primarily yellow, which further distinguishes them from the duller reddish-brown female cardinals.
Western Tanager
The Western Tanager is another red-hued bird that can be found in Colorado, with males showcasing a red face, a yellow body, and black wings and back. This distinct color pattern, combined with the absence of a crest, helps differentiate it from the Northern Cardinal.
Understanding Northern Cardinals
The Northern Cardinal is a mid-sized songbird. Male Northern Cardinals are perhaps most recognized for their vibrant, almost iridescent red plumage that covers their entire body. This striking color is often contrasted by a prominent black mask surrounding their eyes and extending to their throat, along with a distinctive, pointed crest atop their head.
Female Northern Cardinals, while still possessing a crest and a reddish, cone-shaped beak similar to the male, exhibit a duller reddish-brown or olive coloration. They typically have reddish accents on their wings, tail, and crest, and their face mask is usually lighter or absent compared to the male. Both sexes feature a thick, reddish, cone-shaped bill.
Northern Cardinals typically inhabit woodlands, forest edges, dense shrubbery, and suburban gardens. The species is non-migratory, meaning they remain in their breeding territories year-round, allowing their bright colors to be seen even in winter.