Northern Cardinal vs Rock Pigeon
Cardinalis cardinalis compared with Columba livia
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Northern Cardinal | Rock Pigeon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cardinalis cardinalis | Columba livia |
| Order | Passeriformes | Columbiformes |
| Family | Cardinalidae | Columbidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 22.0 cm (8.7 in) | 33.0 cm (13.0 in) |
| Wingspan | 30.0 cm (11.8 in) | 68.0 cm (26.8 in) |
| Weight | 44.0 g (1.55 oz) | 300.0 g (10.58 oz) |
| Diet | Seeds, grains, fruits, and insects. Especially fond of sunflower seeds at bird feeders. Feeds mainly … | Seeds, grain, fruit, and human food scraps. Primarily a ground feeder. Feral birds are heavily … |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Northern Cardinal
Woodland edges, thickets, gardens, and suburban areas. Prefers dense shrubby habitats for nesting.
Rock Pigeon
Originally cliff-nesting in Mediterranean regions. Now the quintessential urban bird, inhabiting cities worldwide on every continent.
Song & Call Comparison
Northern Cardinal
Loud, clear whistled phrases: 'cheer-cheer-cheer' and 'birdy-birdy-birdy'. Both male and female sing; female song is softer. Alarm is a sharp metallic 'chink'.
Rock Pigeon
Soft, rhythmic cooing 'roo-c'too-coo' repeated multiple times, with emphasis on second syllable. Male courtship coo is deeper and more persistent. Wing-clapping on takeoff is loud.
Geographic Range & Migration
Northern Cardinal
Eastern and central North America from southern Canada to Mexico and Guatemala. Expanding range northward.
Rock Pigeon
Native to Europe, North Africa, and South Asia. Feral populations on every continent except Antarctica.
Conservation Status
Northern Cardinal
Rock Pigeon
How to Tell Them Apart
Northern Cardinal
Males are brilliant crimson red overall with a black face mask. Females are warm buffy brown with reddish tinges on wings, crest, and tail.
Thick, conical, bright orange-red bill
Rock Pigeon
Wild-type has a blue-grey body with iridescent green and purple neck feathers, two black wing bars, and a white rump. Feral populations show enormous color variation.
Slender dark bill with a white fleshy cere at the base
About These Birds
Northern Cardinal
The northern cardinal is the state bird of seven US states, more than any other species. Unlike many songbirds, both males and females sing, often in duets. Cardinals do not migrate and their brilliant red plumage against winter snow makes them a favorite among backyard birdwatchers.
Rock Pigeon
The rock pigeon is the ancestor of all domestic pigeon breeds and one of the most abundant birds in cities worldwide. Pigeons have served humans as messengers, food, and subjects for scientific research — their homing ability and vision have been studied extensively. Darwin's study of pigeon breeding contributed to his theory of evolution.