If you’ve lived in Ohio for more than a week, you’ve seen him. That flashy, bright crimson guy perched on a backyard fence or screaming his head off from the top of a spruce tree. He’s the Northern Cardinal, and honestly, he’s basically the unofficial mascot of the Midwest. But while every kindergartner in Columbus or Cleveland can point him out, there’s actually a lot of weird history and biological drama behind the state bird for ohio that most people completely miss.
He wasn’t always here. That’s the first thing that catches people off guard.
Back when Ohio was just one giant, dense forest before the 1800s, you’d be hard-pressed to find a cardinal. They actually hate deep, old-growth forests. They’re "edge" birds. They like the messy middle ground—shrubby thickets, backyard gardens, and the edges where the woods meet a field. It wasn't until settlers started clearing land for farms and towns that the cardinal looked at Ohio and thought, Yeah, I can work with this.
How the Cardinal Became the Official State Bird for Ohio
It took a while for the government to make it official. Ohio became a state in 1803, but we didn't bother picking a bird for over a century. It wasn't until 1933 that the Ohio General Assembly finally signed the paperwork.
Why the cardinal?
🔗 Read more: How Do You Pronounce Mischievous Without Sounding Like a Cartoon Villain?
It wasn't just some random choice by a bunch of guys in suits. There was actually a massive push from schools. Thousands of Ohio schoolkids voted on what bird represented them best. The cardinal won by a landslide because he's a "permanent resident." Unlike the robins that ditch us for Florida the second the temperature hits 40 degrees, the cardinal stays. He’s tough. He deals with the lake effect snow and the gray January slush just like the rest of us.
Interestingly, we aren't exactly unique in this choice. Ohio shares the Northern Cardinal as a state bird with six other states:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- North Carolina
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Basically, we’re all part of one big, red-feathered club.
The "Red" Isn't Just for Show
We all know the male is bright red, but have you ever wondered why? It’s not just genetics; it’s his diet. Cardinals get their color from carotenoids, which are pigments found in the berries and seeds they eat. If a male cardinal can't find enough high-quality food, his red starts to look a bit... dusty.
There’s some fascinating research out of Ohio State University (shoutout to Dr. Amanda Rodewald) that found something weird about urban cardinals. In cities, even "low-quality" or less healthy males can look super bright red. Why? Because of invasive plants like Amur honeysuckle that are everywhere in Columbus and Cincinnati. These plants are packed with red pigments, so the birds eat them and look like athletes even if they’re actually kind of out of shape. It’s basically the bird version of a bad spray tan hiding a lack of gym time.
The Singing Females
Most people think only male birds sing. With cardinals, that's totally wrong. Female cardinals are actually incredible singers, often performing complex duets with their mates. If you hear a cardinal singing from deep inside a thick bush, it’s probably the female. She often sings to tell the male, "Hey, I’m hungry, bring some seeds to the nest."
Why They Attack Your Car Mirrors
If you’ve ever seen a cardinal frantically headbutting your side-view mirror or a basement window, he hasn't lost his mind. Well, sort of.
Cardinals are insanely territorial. Because they don't migrate, they have to defend their turf year-round. When they see their reflection, they don't think, Oh, that’s a handsome bird. They think, Who is this jerk on my property? They will fight that "intruder" for hours, sometimes until they’re physically exhausted. If this is happening to you, just tape some paper over the outside of the window for a few days. They’ll eventually give up and go back to eating your expensive sunflower seeds.
Misconceptions and Rare Sightings
You might hear people say cardinals mate for life. That’s mostly true, but bird "divorce" is a real thing. About 20% of pairs split up every year to find a new partner, usually if they had a bad nesting season.
Also, keep your eyes peeled for the "Yellow Cardinal." It’s an incredibly rare genetic mutation called xanthochroism. Instead of red, the bird turns a bright, vivid lemon yellow. It’s like finding a shiny Pokémon in real life. If you see one in your Ohio backyard, call a local birder immediately—you’ll be the talk of the town.
Supporting Ohio's State Bird
If you want to keep these guys around, it's pretty simple. They aren't picky, but they do have favorites.
✨ Don't miss: How Roaches Are Born: The Gritty Reality You Probably Didn't Want to Know
- Black oil sunflower seeds are like pizza for cardinals. They can’t get enough.
- Safflower seeds are great because squirrels usually hate them, but cardinals love them.
- Dense cover is vital. If your yard is just a flat lawn, they won't feel safe. Plant some dogwood, viburnum, or even some thick evergreens.
Honestly, the state bird for ohio is a bit of a survivor. He turned a deforested landscape into a kingdom and stayed through every brutal winter since. He’s loud, he’s vibrant, and he’s a bit of a hothead—which, if we’re being real, makes him the perfect fit for the Buckeye State.
Next Steps for Bird Lovers:
Check your backyard for dense shrubbery where a cardinal might nest this spring. If you're looking to attract more, swap out your generic birdseed for a high-quality mix containing at least 50% sunflower seeds and place your feeder near a "staging area" like a low-hanging branch where they can scan for predators before landing.