What is "cardinal bird"

Cardinal \Car"di*nal\, n. [F. carinal, It. cardinale, LL. cardinalis (ecclesi[ae] Roman[ae]). See Cardinal, a.]

1. (R. C. Ch.) One of the ecclesiastical princes who constitute the pope's council, or the sacred college.

   The clerics of the supreme Chair are called Cardinals, as undoubtedly adhering more nearly to the hinge by which all things are moved.
   --Pope Leo IX.

   Note: The cardinals are appointed by the pope. Since the time of Sixtus V., their number can never exceed seventy (six of episcopal rank, fifty priests, fourteen deacons), and the number of cardinal priests and deacons is seldom full. When the papel chair is vacant a pope is elected by the college of cardinals from among themselves. The cardinals take precedence of all dignitaries except the pope. The principal parts of a cardinal's costume are a red cassock, a rochet, a short purple mantle, and a red hat with a small crown and broad brim, with cords and tessels of a special pattern hanging from it.

2. A woman's short cloak with a hood.

   Where's your cardinal! Make haste.
   --Lloyd.

3. Mulled red wine.
   --Hotten.

4. the cardinal bird, also called the northern cardinal.

   Cardinal bird, or Cardinal grosbeak (Zo["o]l.), an American song bird ( Cardinalis cardinalis, or Cardinalis Virginianus), of the family Fringillid[ae], or finches of which the male has a bright red plumage, and both sexes have a high, pointed crest on its head; -- it is also called the northern cardinal or eastern cardinal. The males have loud and musical notes resembling those of a fife. Other related species are also called cardinal birds.

   Cardinal flower (Bot.), an herbaceous plant ( Lobelia cardinalis) bearing brilliant red flowers of much beauty.

   Cardinal red, a color like that of a cardinal's cassock, hat, etc.; a bright red, darker than scarlet, and between scarlet and crimson.

The Cardinal Bird is the mascot of the University of Louisville. The Cardinal was chosen as the mascot after 1913, selected because the northern cardinal is the state bird of Kentucky. The school colors of black and red were adopted later.

The Cardinal Bird appears at university sporting events, notably skydiving into Papa John's Cardinal Stadium for each home football game. He also attends other community events during the year. He is considered a part of the "Spirit Groups" and is a member of the Cheerleading team. In 2004, the Cardinal Bird was presented with the National Cheerleaders Association's Most Collegiate Mascot award. On occasion, the Cardinal Bird will travel over to the school marching band's section to conduct the players from the band's podium.

The Cardinal Bird is nicknamed "Louie". This is an homage to the name of both its school and city, as they are sometimes pronounced as "Louie-ville." Others choose to abbreviate his name, nicknaming him "C.B." His costume weighs over 50 pounds.