Cardinal from the Latin word for "hinge", the hinge on which
the church pivots, revolves, etc., in absence of a pope.
And they wore red. I wonder if the bird here in America
reminded early settlers of the clerics and were so named, or
were the clerics named because of the red and the word hinge.
My guess is the bird followed the clerics. But it's just a guess.

----please, draw me a sheep----