MACOMB, Ill., Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Between 2008 and 2010, researchers tracked and studied a rare bird -- a gynandromorphic Northern cardinal. Gynandromorphism is a condition whereby an animal presents both male and female characteristics. That was the case for this unique Midwest cardinal, who featured female plumage on its right side and male plumage on its left side.
Because the cardinal color split (half white, half red) ran vertically from top to bottom, the specimen was considered to exhibit bilateral gynandromorphism. In addition to birds, various types of gynandromorphism can be seen butterflies, crustaceans and arachnids.