Northern Cardinal vs White-tailed Eagle
Cardinalis cardinalis compared with Haliaeetus albicilla
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Northern Cardinal | White-tailed Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cardinalis cardinalis | Haliaeetus albicilla |
| Order | Passeriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Cardinalidae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 22.0 cm (8.7 in) | 84.0 cm (33.1 in) |
| Wingspan | 30.0 cm (11.8 in) | 225.0 cm (88.6 in) |
| Weight | 44.0 g (1.55 oz) | 5200.0 g (183.42 oz) |
| Diet | Seeds, grains, fruits, and insects. Especially fond of sunflower seeds at bird feeders. Feeds mainly … | Fish, waterfowl, and carrion. Often pirates food from other birds. Takes fish from the water … |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Northern Cardinal
Woodland edges, thickets, gardens, and suburban areas. Prefers dense shrubby habitats for nesting.
White-tailed Eagle
Coastlines, large lakes, and rivers with mature trees or cliffs for nesting. Requires large undisturbed areas.
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'.
White-tailed Eagle
High-pitched, yelping 'klee-klee' and deep barking 'ra-ra-ra'. Less vocal than Bald Eagle but similar chattering quality. Gives gull-like wailing near nest in breeding season.
Geographic Range & Migration
Northern Cardinal
Eastern and central North America from southern Canada to Mexico and Guatemala. Expanding range northward.
White-tailed Eagle
Northern Europe and Asia from Greenland and Scandinavia to Japan. Reintroduced to Scotland and Ireland.
Conservation Status
Northern Cardinal
White-tailed Eagle
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
White-tailed Eagle
Brown body with a paler head in adults and a distinctive short white wedge-shaped tail. Massive broad wings in flight. Juveniles are darker overall.
Very large, heavy, pale yellow bill
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.
White-tailed Eagle
The white-tailed eagle is Europe's largest eagle and the fourth-largest eagle in the world. Once extinct in Britain, it has been successfully reintroduced to Scotland and Ireland through conservation programs. These powerful raptors can live over 25 years and form lifelong pair bonds.