This species is a widespread resident throughout North America south to Mexico. This is a male. Females are much duller. It has expanded its range northward since the 19th century taking advantage of bird feeders.
It goes by a number of local vernacular names; perhaps the most common being "Redbird." It was formerly placed in the genus "Richmondena."
Eighteen subspecies have been described. C. c. superbus is restricted to Arizona and adjacent areas. It is much larger and has less black across the forehead compared to birds in the Eastern United States, seven of which have named it their "State Bird." Contrary to "Birds of North America" the race introduced and barely surviving in Los Angeles is not superbus, but nominate cardinalis from the East.
Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LZ5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter)