I think that I found what you're talking about. Here's a link to a thread on this board that shows a cardinal in a birch tree, but unfortunately, there isn't a pattern:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-924-1.htm
But here's a few paper pieced cardinal patterns and you can probably use one of these and then just wing it for the birch branches:
http://www.fonsandporter.com/userdoc...x6Cardinal.pdf
http://free-quilt-patterns.net/applique/Cardinal.html (applique pattern)
http://www.paperpanache.com/ecart/Pcard.htm
Have fun!