Northern Cardinal, Male

"A familiar backyard bird.  Look for the male feeding female during courtship.  Male feeds young of the first brood by himself while female builds second nest.  The name comes from the Latin word cardinalis, which means "important".  Very territorial in spring, it will fight its own reflection in a window.  Non-territorial during winter, gathering in small flocks of up to 20 birds.  Both the male and female sing and can be heard anytime of year.  Listen for its "whata-cheer-cheer-cheer" territorial call in the spring" -Stan Tekiela