The quintessential early bird, the American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is a common sight on lawns across North America, where you often see them tugging earthworms out of the ground. Robins are popular birds for their warm orange breast, cheery song, and early appearance at the end of winter. Though they’re familiar town and city birds, American Robins are at home in wilder areas, too, including mountain forests and Alaskan wilderness. This information, and more, can be found at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (June 5, 2007)
The brilliantly colored Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) has the record for popularity as a state bird. In the United States, it holds that title in seven states. This common bird is a winter fixture at snow-covered bird feeders throughout the Northeast, but it only spread to New York and New England in the mid-20th century. Brighter red males hold territories with denser vegetation, feed at higher rates, and have greater reproductive success than duller males. Cardinals don’t migrate and they don’t molt into a dull plumage, so they’re still breathtaking in winter’s snowy backyards. In summer, their sweet whistles are one of the first sounds of the morning. (June 5, 2007)
![Northern Cardinal [male]](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-PpQBV5h/0/L/i-PpQBV5h-L.jpg)