Interesting, they sell cardinals in Europe. Both the red-winged blackbirds and cardinals are very common around here, though I find the cardinals don't like to pose for photos as much as the red-winged blackbirds :-). I once took care of a cardinal for about a week after it crashed into a window. It eventually got better and I let it go but it was pretty mean and bit me and wouldn't let go whenever I tried to change its water and birdseed.