Category Archives: Puzzling Birds

Puzzling Birds – Cardinals

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Puzzling Birds – Cardinals

Cardinal Wood Puzzle

Cardinal Wood Puzzle

Having been born in Indiana, I have seen many Cardinals. It is also Indiana’s State Bird. When I saw this puzzle, it was not a hard choice to make.

I am currently working on a puzzle that has all the State Birds and Flowers. (It may take months to put that one together.) I was not aware that the Cardinal has been chosen for the State Bird in seven states according to web search.

From Copilot Search:

“The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is celebrated for its vibrant red plumage, melodious song, and year-round presence, making it a beloved symbol across the eastern and midwestern United States. Its striking appearance and cheerful song have inspired communities to adopt it as a state emblem, reflecting qualities such as resilience, vitality, and regional pride.”

States That Have Adopted the Cardinal

  1. Kentucky – First to adopt the cardinal in 1926, highlighting its prevalence in the state’s rolling hills and woodlands.

    Northern Cardinal M-F ©BackyardBirdLover

  2. Illinois – Adopted in 1929 through a statewide vote involving schoolchildren, emphasizing the bird’s year-round visibility and charm.

    Northern Cardinal Pair ©

    Indiana – Named the state bird in 1933, symbolizing resilience and vitality in both urban and rural habitats.

  3. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) - ©WikiC

    Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) – ©WikiC

    Ohio – Adopted in 1933, reflecting the cardinal’s popularity and cultural significance among residents.

  4. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Female ©WikiC

    Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Female ©WikiC

  5. North Carolina – Designated in 1943, celebrating the bird’s presence across diverse landscapes from mountains to coastal plains.

    Cardinals in the Snow

  6. West Virginia – Adopted in 1949, representing the rugged beauty of the Appalachian region and local folklore.

    Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Male and Female ©WikiC

Virginia – Named the state bird in 1950, recognizing its year-round presence and role in local conservation and cultural traditions.

Female Cardinal photographed at Circle B by Dan

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. (Isa_1:18)

Here are some more interesting facts about these beautiful Cardinals:

Additional Facts

  • Cardinals are non-migratory, so they are visible year-round in their habitats .
  • They thrive in a variety of environments, including deciduous forests, urban parks, and backyard gardens .
  • The species’ scientific name is Cardinalis cardinalis, and it belongs to the family Cardinalidae .
  • The cardinal’s popularity as a state bird surpasses all others, with the Western Meadowlark and Northern Mockingbird following in second and third place, respectively .
    The Northern Cardinal’s combination of beauty, song, and cultural resonance has made it a natural choice for multiple states, creating a strong regional identity and a shared symbol of nature’s vibrancy.

While looking for previous “Cardinal” articles that we have posted before, I was amazed at how many articles there are. You can use the search link in the right column to find more. Here are just some of those:

State Birds of America – Information

Northern Cardinal – Video

Cardinalidae – Grosbeaks, Saltators & Allies

Why Red?

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Sardius

Friday Friends – Dorothy (Dottie) Malcolm

A Cardinal Sits With Me

From Sunday Inspiration Menu:

Wordless Birds

Puzzling Birds – Hummingbird Beauties

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In the Puzzling Birds introduction, there were three Hummingbirds. I left the question open as to what kind of Hummingbirds they were. So far, no one has suggested a name. Humm, I’ve had several ideas myself, but am not sure either.

Sometimes artist will add highlights, that can throw us off for an identification. When we are out in the field, lighting, branches, leaves, and other obstacles can cause us to struggle with our “nailing it.”

Just thought you might enjoy see these 50 “Stunning Hummingbird Photos from Birds&Blooms.

50 Stunning Hummingbird Photos

Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope) Female feeding insects to chicks ©WikiC

“If a bird’s nest happens to be before you along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, with the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young;” (Deuteronomy 22:6 NKJV)

Tickle Me Tuesday – Hummingbirds

Stayed tuned as I show more of these Puzzling Birds. Check out some of the previous posts about Hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) by Judd Patterson

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) by Judd Patterson

Those are just a few of the Hummingbirds on the blog. Use the search button on the right side of the blog.

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PUZZLING BIRDS – INTRODUCTION

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PUZZLING BIRDS – INTRODUCTION

Hummingbird Wood Puzzle

In September last year, my niece sent me a wood puzzle for my birthday. I had never seen, nor worked on a wooden puzzle before. Since she knows I like birds, she picked out the one you see pictured above. It only has 200 pieces but proved to be a bit challenging.

When we go birdwatching, we encounter quite a few “puzzling birds”. At least I do. To find out what kind of bird we saw, we have to do some investigation. Usually, ask the birdwatching friend beside you, or look for it in one of your many bird books, or check the internet.

I also like to check my Bible to see if it might be one of the many birds that are mentioned. Since God created them in the first place, why not see if they are listed. Adam had the privilege of naming them and did not need to look them up.

“Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.” Gen 2:19-20a

If you have been following this blog over the years, Bible birds have been written about many times. See Birds of The Bible.

This photo shows the wood pieces up closer. Do you see the two bird shapes?

Section showing puzzle shapes. See the two birds?

One is a Hummer and the other??? When we are out birding, sometimes all we see is a quick outline of the bird. Out come the books, etc. again. Right?

Because I now have physical challenges, birdwatching out in the woods and parks has become too hard for me. The birds out in the backyard, on the pond, and what fly by keep me puzzling as to who they are.

Stay tuned for more Puzzling Birds. Oh, and by the way, do you know what kind of Hummingbirds these are??

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