Northern Cardinal-male

This picture was taken on 26th November, 2007 at the Bentsen Rio Grande State Park, Mission, Texas. Cardinals don't migrate, but have steadily increased their range over the last 200 years except in California where they may disappear due to habitat loss. Male Cardinals will fiercely defend their territory from other male cardinals and if they see their reflection in a mirror, will fight the mirror for hours. An interesting fact about Cardinal males is that the brighter the colour, the more successful they are at breeding and establishing good territories.