The 100 year old ban

Red Cardinals were once prized as a pet, but their sale as captive birds in cages was banned in the United States by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

Northern Cardinal - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

That’s a relief to me. I find them very comical:

Northern Cardinal - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Here’s a female:

Northern Cardinal - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Audubon’s illustration of both the male and the female looks just as classy as ever:

Northern Cardinal - Audubon

He got their disapproving look just right:

Northern Cardinal - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

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