Read About North Carolina State Bird

North Carolina State Bird is the Cardinal, which is a bright scarlet colored little warbler. Here's everything you need to know about them.

North Carolina State Bird -- Facts

1. Breed:

   The state bird of North Carolina is the cardinal. It has a family to its own, called as the Cardinalidae. It belongs to the order Passeriformes.

2. Size:

   Sizes of the North Carolina state bird are not fixed, as there may be variations according to the region in which they are found. They have average lengths of 8.25 inches and wingspans of 11.5 inches. Females are slightly smaller.

3. Life Span:

   Cardinals can reach ages up to 30 years, depending on their habitat.

4. Varieties:

   The cardinal grosbeak is the particular variety of cardinals that is the state bird of North Carolina.

5. Origins:

   The cardinal originated in Mexico. From there, an evolutionary process of migration brought it to North Carolina, where it settled and multiplied.

6. Physical Traits:

   Cardinals are remarkable for their bright scarlet color on the males. Males also have a black mark around their face and a yellow beak. Females are dully colored in gray, with patches of red. Both males and females have striking crests on their heads.

7. Temperament:

   Cardinals are forest birds that like to be alone. They do not get along well with humans, though they have become non migratory in their evolution.

8. Trainability:

   Cardinals have excellent flight skills. They can be trained by experts to understand human commands of flight. They have no speech learning capabilities.

North Carolina State Bird -- Care

1. Habitat:

   North Carolina state birds are found in a vast array of habitats such as hedgerows, forests, woods and edges of woods where the human settlement begins. Their nests are close to human houses.

2. Food:

   Cardinals like to eat fruits, which forms a major part of their diet. In their woody habitat, they also eat insects, worms, reptiles and other small rodents.

3. Compatibility:

   Cardinals have become closely associated with other birds as they are basically part of the forest ecosystem. But it takes a while for them to associate with humans.

North Carolina State Bird -- Concerns

1. Benefits:

   North Carolina state birds are an asset to have around the feeder. Their food requirements are simple and their bright colors add beauty to the yard.

2. Liabilities:

   Cardinals cannot face the cold very well, and at the same time they are non migratory birds. You must provide a good number of warm perches if you are attracting cardinals to your feeder.

3. Health Issues:

   Cardinals are very healthy birds and are not vulnerable to the host of bacterial ailments that other birds suffer from.

4. Specific Care Needs:

   No specific care is needed, except to provide hygienic water at the fountain and good warm perches.

5. Special Household Needs:

   Cardinals are prohibited by state laws of North Carolina to be kept within the home.

North Carolina State Bird -- How to Choose

1. What to Look for:

   The color should be prominent and striking, without blemish, especially in males.

2. Supplies:

   Install a feeder and a water fountain. Make sure there are trees nearby where they can roost.

3. Expense:

   Prices are unavailable on cardinals, as these birds are prohibited to be sold and caged by state laws.