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What is the State Bird of Illinois?

East Coast Staff
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ILLINOIS - The northern cardinal is the state bird of Illinois.  Also known as the cardinal, redbird, and common cardinal, this bird is a member of the Cardinalis genus. It is a small bird, about the size of a sparrow, and lives in forests and other habitats.


What is the State Bird of Illinois?

The Northern Cardinal Is The State Bird Of Illinois

 

Male and female cardinals are very similar, but the male has a red crest on his head.  Females have lighter-colored face masks, while both have white and brown body parts. Cardinals in Illinois can be seen throughout the year and sometimes in large groups.



The Northern Cardinal was selected as the state bird of Illinois in 1929. Voters chose the Cardinal over other birds, including the bluebird, quail, and oriole. The General Assembly officially named the state bird the cardinal in June 1929. It is also the state bird of six other states.

Northern cardinals are the state bird of Illinois and the state's most famous bird. They are often seen in backyards, so keeping your binoculars handy is a good idea. They have a large variety of food, including weed seeds, grains, and insects. If you want to attract them to your yard, you can stock your bird feeder with a mixture of these foods.



The Northern Cardinal is a common backyard bird in Illinois but is also the state bird of six other states. This medium-sized songbird often resides in suburban backyards as well as forests. It was officially named the state bird of Illinois in 1929 by the 56th General Assembly.