The northern cardinal, simply called a cardinal in North America, is a medium-sized songbird native to North and Central America. Named after the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church who wear distinct red robes and caps. The male cardinal features vibrant crimson red feathers and a distinct black "mask" around the eyes and beak. Female cardinals are mostly grayish brown with tinges of red, and have a less distinct gray to black "mask" around the eyes and beak. Both males and females have a coral colored beak and prominent raised crest of feathers on their head.
