If you’ve ever seen a bright crimson bird out and about, you’ve most likely seen a male Northern Cardinal. Unlike many songbirds of the region, they don’t migrate. Nor do they molt into a duller winter plumage, which makes their bright colour particularly striking against a snowy landscape. The females, like many others in the bird kingdom, are less colourful. Overall, they are pale brown, though they have some reddish accents on their crest and wings. However, this doesn’t mean Mrs. Cardinal lets her mate overshadow her! The female wears the pants in the Cardinal couple. She tells the male when it is safe to bring food to her or the babies. This is to ensure the male’s bright colour doesn’t give away the nest’s location to predators.