Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal, or Cardinalis cardinalis, is a mid-sized songbird renowned for its striking plumage and melodic song. Males are resplendent in a vibrant crimson with a contrasting black face mask, while females exhibit a more subdued blend of reddish olive with a gray mask. Both sexes boast a distinctive crest atop their heads, adding to their regal appearance.

Identification Tips

Adult males are unmistakable with their bright red plumage and black mask. Females are more subtle, with their warm, reddish accents and grayish mask. Juveniles resemble females until they acquire their adult colors in the fall. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males typically larger than females. Both sexes have a robust, conical beak, ideal for seed consumption.

Habitat

The Northern Cardinal favors a variety of environments, including woodlands, gardens, shrublands, and wetlands. They are particularly fond of areas where dense vegetation is interspersed with open spaces.

Distribution

This bird's range extends from southeastern Canada through the eastern United States, reaching as far west as Texas and Arizona, and southward through Mexico to Belize and Guatemala. It has also been introduced to Bermuda and Hawaii.

Behaviour

Males are territorial, using their song to delineate their domain. They may exhibit aggression towards their reflections, mistaking them for rival males. Cardinals are known for their pair bonds, with mated pairs often seen foraging and traveling together.

Song & Calls

Both sexes sing a variety of clear, whistled tunes, which they vary and repeat. Their songs are regionally distinct due to learning. Alarm calls are sharp, metallic chips, signaling danger to their kin.

Breeding

Courtship involves the male feeding the female beak-to-beak. Nesting sites are carefully chosen in dense shrubbery or low trees, with the female constructing a multi-layered nest. Clutches typically consist of three to four eggs, with multiple broods raised each year.

Similar Species

While the Northern Cardinal is quite distinctive, it can be confused with other red birds such as the Pyrrhuloxia, especially in areas where their ranges overlap.

Diet and Feeding

The Northern Cardinal is primarily granivorous, with a diet consisting largely of seeds. However, they also consume insects and fruit, adapting their diet as necessary.

Conservation status

The species is currently listed as Least Concern, with a stable or increasing population thanks to its adaptability and the popularity of backyard bird feeding.