Cardinalis virginianus; Print; The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a bird in the genus Cardinalis; it is also known colloquially as the redbird; common cardinal or just cardinal (which was its name prior to 1985). It can be found in southern eastern Canada; through the eastern United States from Maine to Minnesota to Texas; and south through Mexico; Belize; Guatemala and Big Island of Hawai'i. Its habitat includes woodlands; gardens; shrublands; and wetlands.; 1881-1889