CARDINAL
KENTUCKY’S BEAUTIFUL BIRD
The cardinal
is Kentucky’s state bird it’s nickname is the red bird it is called this because of it’s beautiful bright red color. Only the male is red because if it wasn’t red it wouldn’t be attractive to females. Females are a yellow brown color so they can blend in with trees when caring for eggs. Cardinals brood twice a year, brood means to make nests and lay eggs. Early nests are made in March, then the second brood is made in late May to July. A cardinal is a popular song bird because of it’s beautiful voice.The cardinal was the first bird officially assigned to a state as a symbol. It was also assigned to six other states but Kentucky was the first. The six other seven states were Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. The cardinal is a common bird through out the eastern part of the United States.
Cardinals are important because they eat pests such as boll weevils, cutworms, caterpillars, and other insects. Because of the cardinal’s bright red color people enjoy looking at them.
By: Aly and Daniel
CLAYS MILL ELEMENTARY
