Arizona is definitely associated with Cardinals (as in our football team) and, of course, with the birds that are found in part of our state.

The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a North American bird in the genus Cardinalis; it is also known colloquially as the redbird or common cardinal.

It can be found in southern Canada, through the eastern United States from Maine to Texas and south, including in parts of Arizona, and through Mexico. It is found in woodlands, gardens, shrublands, and swamps.

The northern cardinal is a mid-sized songbird with a body length of 21 cm (8.3 in). It has a distinctive crest on the head and a mask on the face which is black in the male and gray in the female. The male is a vibrant red, while the female is a dull red-brown shade. The northern cardinal is mainly granivorous, but also feeds on insects and fruit.

The male behaves territorially, marking out his territory with song. During courtship, the male feeds seed to the female beak-to-beak. A clutch of three to four eggs is laid, and two to four clutches are produced each year.

It was once prized as a pet, but its sale as a cage bird is now banned in the United States by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

Editor's Note: For years my late mother sent Christmas cards that almost always featured cardinals. Consequently, from a very early age, I associated these lovely birds with holiday wishes for family and friends - and in this issue, especially for you.

Other Stories In This Issue Include

BOATING - Program Produces Highly Qualified Instructors, AYC presents the Smallboat Level 1 Sailing Instructor Certification Course.

TACKLE & TARGET - Interest In Archery Soars, The Hunger Games:Mockingjay1 movie has sparked a strong interest in target archery.