Cardinal on Pine Branch
Price range: $49.99 through $64.99
A 12" x 10.2" northern cardinal on a pine branch with a pine cone, laser cut from 1/8-inch steel, that taps into a tree trunk, wooden fence or post with a few hammer strikes. Choose Raw Steel, which arrives bare and rusts naturally outdoors to a warm brown patina with no paint or upkeep, or Black Powder Coat, the same piece finished in black. Cut to order in our shop in Texas and shipped free anywhere in the US.
- 30-day returns
- Damaged or wrong item replaced or refunded
Gallery photographs show bare or weathered raw steel. A black-finish photograph is not supplied.
Read the full story ↓The one bird everybody knows on sight.
You do not have to be a birdwatcher to know a cardinal. A child can name one. They come to the feeder in the dead of winter, against a gray hedge and old snow, and there is nothing else in the yard that color.
We had this one cut on a pine bough, with a cone hanging below and the needles fanned out, because that is where you find a cardinal in December — tucked into the evergreens out of the wind. It is worth looking at in February, too, and a great many people tell us the bird means something more particular than that.
Cardinals do not migrate. They are here in January the same as they are in June, which is part of why they turn up so often in the stories people tell about the ones they have lost. We will not tell you what to make of that. We only know it is the bird we are asked about most, and usually quietly.
They are also worth watching on their own terms. The female sings, which is uncommon among songbirds, and often sings back to the male from the nest. Both parents feed the young. A pair will hold the same patch of hedge and brush for years.
Also Perfect For
- In memory of a parent, grandparent or friend — a sympathy gift that stays in the garden
- Memorial gardens and remembrance trees
- Birthday gifts for a bird watcher or gardener
- Christmas gifts and winter decorating, November through February
- Housewarming and new-home gifts
- Retirement gifts for someone with more time for the yard
Where It Looks Best
Set it where you will see it from a window in winter. That is when you will want it.
Details
- Design: The Northern Cardinal on a pine bough, with a hanging pine cone and fanned needles
- Size: 12" long x 10.2" high, including the 2-inch spike; approx. 15oz
- Material: 1/8-inch steel
- Finish: Choose Raw Steel (arrives bare, rusts naturally outdoors) or Black Powder Coat
- Mounting: Built-in hammer-in spike for trees, fences and wooden posts
- Packaging: Ships flat in a 17" x 14" mailer
- Made in Texas: Laser cut from American steel in our family-owned shop
How to Set It
1. Pick a spot on a tree trunk, wooden fence or post — eye level from a window is best.
2. Hold the spike at a slight downward angle against the wood.
3. Tap the thick end of the spike with a hammer or mallet until it is firm.
No drilling, no screws, no other tools.
The Finish
Pick your finish from the Finish menu on this listing.
Raw Steel (Rusts Naturally): Your bird arrives as bare, raw steel — a clean steel gray. Outdoors, rain and dew turn it a warm rust brown, usually over the first few weeks, and the color keeps deepening with the weather. There is no paint or coating, so there is nothing to peel, fade or touch up. While the rust is forming, rust-colored runoff can mark pale stone, concrete or siding directly below it, so set it over wood, soil or mulch. Prefer the bare steel look? Keep it indoors or out of the rain.
Black Powder Coat: the same steel piece, powder coated in black. It arrives black rather than bare, does not develop the rust patina, and leaves no rust runoff, so it can go over pale stone, concrete or siding. Wipe it clean with a damp cloth. If it ever gets chipped, a dab of black exterior metal paint touches it up.
Processing & Shipping
Cut to order in our shop in Texas. Please allow 2–4 business days before your order ships. Orders of $99.99 or more ship free within the United States; under that, shipping is a flat $14.92. We ship within the United States only.
Returns
100% satisfaction guaranteed. If you are not happy with your bird for any reason, message us within 30 days of delivery and we will make it right with a replacement or a full refund.
About Our Photos
Some listing images are created or edited with AI-assisted tools to show the piece in an outdoor setting. The design and size you receive match this listing.
About Shadow Birds
Every Shadow Birds piece is cut from solid American steel and made in Texas. Browse the shop for more birds, Garden Folk, Seasonal & Holiday designs and Critters.
Questions? We're Glad to Help.
Send us a message anytime. Ordering several for a family, a memorial service, a garden club or a store? Just ask — we are happy to set up larger orders.