What describes the typical plumage appearance of a female Northern Cardinal?
Answer
Soft tan overlaid with warm red accents
The Northern Cardinal exhibits strong sexual dimorphism in coloration. While the male is known for its unmistakable brilliant crimson plumage, the female displays a much softer palette. Her coloration consists primarily of a soft tan base over much of her body, which is beautifully overlaid and accented with warm red tones, particularly on the crest, wings, and tail. This difference allows observers to easily distinguish between the sexes while both remain highly recognizable due to the characteristic cardinal shape and presence of red coloring.

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