As winter blankets Pennsylvania, the state’s feathered inhabitants undergo remarkable adaptations to thrive in the cold. From plumage changes to unique feeding habits, Pennsylvania’s winter birds prove just how amazing nature truly is.
Pennsylvania’s winters are not for the faint of heart, and this state can experience an abundance of snow and even temperatures below zero, especially when you consider the windchill. Despite this sometimes harsh weather, many different bird species happily stay or even migrate to the state for the winter. The Northern Cardinal, for example, is just one such bird that thrives in the state’s cold winter.
The following list will give you all the information you need to identify and understand these avian creatures better.
1. Northern Cardinal
Scientific Name: Cardinalis cardinalis
Even though they are now a common sight in Pennsylvania, the Northern Cardinal was rarely seen before 1900. It has been in the last century that they have moved northward, becoming extremely common throughout the state.
- Appearance: Male cardinals boast stunning red plumage, while females have a more subdued brown color with some touches of red. Both of them, however, feature a crest and sturdy bills.
- Diet: Cardinals primarily feed on seeds, fruits, and insects, and they are extremely easy to entice to backyard bird feeders.
- Habitat: Northern Cardinals love dense shrubby areas, and can often be found in woodlands, gardens, overgrown fields, and parks.
- Migration: Cardinals are non-migratory birds, staying in Pennsylvania year-round.
- Interesting Fact: The oldest recorded Northern Cardinal was actually found in Pennsylvania. It was a female who was 15 years and 9 months old.
2. Dark-Eyed Junco
