After being at this house for 5+ years I finally saw a cardinal on the backwall on Sunday.
Wasnt able to get a picture.

When we first moved to AZ I told my DH...who loved birding...that "all I ever see out here are FEMALE cardinals" He informed me they weren't Cardinals, but something that started with PHY...LOL Jo

Unless it's red, I wouldn't know a cardinal if it pecked me on the nose!

Me either Dan, but I'd love to see one!

We have some of the prettiest cardinals!

Jo- those would be pyrrhuloxia - pronounced purr lox eeaa - they have heavier yellowish beaks and the cardinals beak is pointed and reddish-dark orange. Cardinals also have a small black 'mask' and the pyrrhuloxia have a small red 'mask'. They do kinda hang out together, so they can confuse you, especially if it there are females of both species together. - Just remember to look at the beak.

Susie

Saw lots of red cardinals in Alabama last week. Robins too. And clematis galore!

After my DH pointed out the fact I now know the differece...The Cardinal is much more colorful. Thanks for the breakdown in how to say the name...Jo

Roadrunner,

I think your referring to the Pyrrhuloxia. The female and male, are many times mistaken for a female cardinal. I see them in my garden, mostly when the pyracantha is red and ripe. They seem to like those. I've never seen a cardinal in my yard. But my friend Cherie, who leaves about 2 miles away on an acre of land, see's tons of them. They go after the grain treat she feeds her horses and mules.

Alan

When I lived in the mountains of Virginia the bright red of the male Cardinals were so stricking in the snow. Jo