Mystery Bird: Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis

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[Mystery birds] Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, photographed at Paul Rushing Park, Texas. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow]

Image: Joseph Kennedy, 28 March 2009 [larger view].

Nikon D200, Kowa 883 telescope with tsn-pz camera eyepiece 1/500s f/8.0 at 1000.0mm iso400.

Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.

Review all mystery birds to date.

Agreed. Female Northern Cardinal. Might be confused with a female Pyrrhuloxia but they have a yellowish bill with a stronger curved culmen, among other differences.

Cool blog!! Glad I found it. I'll be back.

By Daniel J. Andrews (not verified) on 01 Jun 2009 #permalink

Concur - female Northern Cardinal. Orange/red bill seals the deal - and bill shape in the Pyrrhuloxia is shorter and much more rounded. Wish I had Cardinal's in my area - but alas there are none in Reno.