Northern Cardinal

## Evolutionary Timeline of the Northern Cardinal The Northern Cardinal (*Cardinalis cardinalis*) belongs to the family Cardinalidae, with roots tracing back to early avian ancestors. Its evolution reflects broader bird diversification influenced by climatic shifts, habitat changes, and ecological pressures. ### Key Milestones: - **~160 MYA (Jurassic Period)**: Ancestral theropod dinosaurs evolve powered flight, leading to early birds like *Archaeopteryx*. - **~66 MYA (K-Pg Extinction)**: Mass extinction event allows avian radiation; early passerines emerge in the Paleogene. - **~50-30 MYA (Eocene-Oligocene)**: Passeriformes (songbirds) diverge, adapting to forested environments amid cooling climates. - **~20-10 MYA (Miocene)**: Cardinalidae family originates in the Neotropics; ancestors adapt to seed-eating with strong beaks, influenced by tropical forest expansions. - **~2 MYA-Present (Pleistocene-Holocene)**: Northern Cardinals spread northward into North America, developing bright plumage for mating in response to ice age habitat fragmentation and sexual selection pressures.