How to Draw a Cardinal – Easy Bird Drawing for Kids Step by Step

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With its distinctive crest and elegant silhouette, the cardinal offers young artists a beautiful bird to sketch.

Step 1: Draw the cardinal's tiny pointed beak.

Step 2: Then, add the tall feathered head with the crest head.

Step 3: Draw the cheeks and lower throat line underneath the beak.

Step 4: The face outline should be added around the eyes and beak area.

Step 5: Draw the back of the head and start drawing the upper body.

Step 6: Create a long, curving line to the chest that is round.

Step 7: Begin by tracing the legs of the bird with its fingers.

Step 8: Then add a small curved line towards its back.

Step 9: Draw the upper back side of the bird.

Step 10: Include the wing shape within the body as shown in the image.

Step 11: Draw a long feather for the bird's long tail.

Step 12: Include an additional tail feather near the first one.

Step 13: Draw tiny curved lines of feathers on the upper wing.

Step 14: Include a row of smaller feathers below.

Step 15: Make more feather lines within the wings.

Step 16: Incorporate long wing feathers in the lower part of the wing.

Step 17: Make additional feather lines to finish the wings.

Step 18: Then, add the last long line to the tail feather.

Step 19: Create a feather-like design on the neck. Add claw details to the foot.

Step 20: Draw a line with curves for the tree's branch below the cardinal’s claws.

Step 21: Include another side branch.

Step 22: Make two leaves on the one end of the branch.

Step 23: Incorporate the veins in each leaf.

Step 24: Create bark texture lines across the branch.

Step 25: Draw a circle in its face, for the eye of the cardinal.

Step 26: Highlight the pupil inside the eye.

Step 27: Your cardinal sketch is ready. Give it some vibrant colors to make it more beautiful!

Download How to Draw PDF Worksheet