The bird that is most well known for having a bright red crest on top of its head is the northern cardinal. The northern cardinal is a common songbird found throughout eastern North America that is easily identified by its vivid red plumage and distinctive crest.
What is a northern cardinal?
The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a medium-sized songbird that belongs to the family Cardinalidae. It is found widely distributed across eastern North America, ranging from southern Canada down through the eastern and central United States to Mexico and Belize. It has also been introduced to parts of the western United States.
Some key identifying features of the northern cardinal include:
Appearance
– Bright red plumage covering the head, body, wings and tail (females are more brownish-red)
– Black face mask surrounding the eyes and beak
– Prominent cone-shaped red crest on top of the head
– Pinkish-red beak
– Red legs and feet
Size
– 8.3–9.1 inches (21–23 cm) long
– 1.5–1.7 oz (42–48 g) weight
Song
– Loud, melodious songs and calls year-round
– Familiar “cheer cheer cheer” and “birdy birdy birdy” vocalizations
The male northern cardinals are slightly larger and brighter in color than females. Juveniles start out with brownish feathers before molting into their adult red plumage after one year.
Where does the northern cardinal live?
The northern cardinal is widely distributed across eastern North America, ranging from southern Canada down through the United States into Mexico and Central America.
Here is a map showing the range of the northern cardinal:
Northern Cardinal Range Map |
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Image source: |
BySVG: Delphi234English: Map by Delphi234SVG: Delphi234 – Self-made, based on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology map., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14944996 |
As seen on the map, the northern cardinal’s range stretches:
– North into southern Canada (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia)
– South throughout the eastern and central United States, down into Mexico and Central America
– West across the Great Plains into parts of Nebraska, Kansas, eastern Colorado and New Mexico
It has also been introduced and established itself along the West Coast from Washington down to California.
Within this broad range, northern cardinals live in a wide variety of semi-open habitats, including thickets, woodland edges, gardens, parks, and agricultural areas. They tend to avoid dense forest interiors.
What does the northern cardinal look like?
The brilliant red plumage and peaked crest make the northern cardinal one of the most recognizable backyard birds in North America.
Here are some more details on the northern cardinal’s appearance:
Plumage
– Males are vivid red overall with a bright red face mask, crest, bill, and legs
– Females are more brownish-red with softer facial markings and crest
– Juveniles start out gray-brown before molting to red after one year
Size and shape
– Robust, broad-bodied shape typical of finches
– Total length 21–23 cm (8.3–9.1 inches)
– Wingspan of 12–15 inches (30–38 cm)
– Weight between 1.5–1.7 oz (42–48 g)
Bill
– Short, thick, cone-shaped bill that is red or pinkish-red
– Used for cracking open seeds and eating insects
Legs and feet
– Reddish colored legs and feet
– Feet have three toes pointing forward and one pointing backward (perching feet adapted for grasping)
What is the red crest on the cardinal’s head?
The northern cardinal’s signature feature is the bright red triangular crest that sits atop its head.
Some key facts about the cardinal’s crest:
– Formed from several feathers fanned upwards
– Larger and more prominent on males than females
– Can be raised or lowered at will to express mood or alertness
– Plays a role in mate attraction and territorial displays
– Can lay nearly flat when at rest
– Develops fully after one year when juveniles molt to adult plumage
The cardinal’s bold red crest is used for communication and display. Both males and females will fan out their crest during encounters with predators or rival birds to appear more threatening and formidable.
Males in particular use their crest to attract mates, keeping it conspicuously raised as they sing and chase females during breeding season. The bigger and showier the crest, the more desirable a male appears to potential mates.
Juvenile cardinals hatch with small tufts of downy feathers on their heads. After their first molt at around one year old, they grow in the full adult crest of overlapping feathers that can be fanned out into the familiar triangular shape.
What is the northern cardinal’s diet?
The northern cardinal is omnivorous, with a varied diet consisting of insects, spiders, snails, grains, seeds, fruits, and berries.
Here is an overview of the main components of the northern cardinal’s diet:
Seeds and grains
Northern cardinals forage for seeds from weeds and grasses, waste grains from agricultural fields, and seeds from fruiting plants like grapes, pokeberries, and dogwoods. Black oil sunflower seeds from bird feeders are also a favorite when available.
Fruits and berries
Cardinals eat a wide variety of soft fruits including blackberries, cherries, grapes, strawberries, figs, and mulberries. They use their strong bills to open fruit and reach the flesh inside.
Insects
Cardinals supplement their diet heavily with insects and other invertebrates like spiders, snails, and worms. They often forage for insects on the ground or glean them from foliage. Caterpillars are a preferred treat.
Water
Cardinals need to drink water regularly, particularly while eating dry seeds. They visit bird baths and puddles in addition to streams, lakes, and ponds. Having a water source in your yard will help attract cardinals.
The northern cardinal’s diverse palate allows it to adapt readily to habitats ranging from forests to deserts to backyard feeders stocked with sunflower seeds.
When do northern cardinals nest and breed?
The breeding season for northern cardinals runs from March through September, with nesting activity peaking between May and June. However, cardinals in warmer southern climates may nest and breed earlier from January to August.
Here is an overview of the northern cardinal’s nesting habits and breeding behavior:
Courtship
– Males begin courtship in late winter, feeding females and chasing them with crest raised high
– Females may mate with several males; the alpha male tends to help feed and rear offspring
Nest building
– The female cardinal builds the nest over 3-9 days using twigs, bark strips, vines, and grasses
– Nest locations are typically in dense shrubs or small trees 3-10 feet off the ground
Clutch size
– Between 2-5 eggs per clutch, pale white or greenish-blue with brown spotting
– Female incubates the eggs for 12-13 days before they hatch
Raising young
– Cardinal chicks fledge from the nest at 9-11 days old but remain with parents for 2 more weeks
– Both parents feed the chicks regurgitated insects and seeds
– Cardinals may raise 2-3 broods per breeding season
New nests
– Females build a new nest for each brood, often reusing material from an old nest
– Males may take over feeding fledglings as the female starts a new nest
Providing nesting sites and food sources like berries and insects can help attract breeding cardinals to your yard. Monitor nests carefully and avoid disturbing them once eggs are laid.
What sounds does the northern cardinal make?
Northern cardinals are famous for their loud, melodious songs and diverse vocalizations used for communication. Here are some of the most notable northern cardinal sounds:
Songs
– Loud, whistled song phrases repeated over and over
– Sounds like “cheer cheer cheer” or “birdy birdy birdy”
– Males sing year-round to mark territory and attract mates
– Peak singing is early morning and late afternoon/evening
Calls
– Sharp chips or tseeps to maintain contact with mate or signal alarm
– Molded into varied rhythmic patterns
– Given singly or in groups depending on context
Flight calls
– Buzzing trills or sliding chatter sounds
– Given by males when chasing females or engaging in fights
– Distinct from the main song
Fledgling begging calls
– Loud, whistling peeps emitted by young seeking food from parents
– Become more raspy and rapid as hunger increases
In addition to all the vocal sounds, both male and female cardinals also communicate using visual displays like crest raising, wing flicking, and energetic flights.
How can I attract northern cardinals to my yard?
Here are some tips to make your yard attractive for northern cardinals to visit and potentially nest:
Provide food sources
– Offer sunflower seeds, peanuts, dried fruit, and suet from feeders
– Plant native berry bushes like dogwoods, elderberries, and grapes
– Provide fresh water in a bird bath or fountain
Offer shelter and nesting sites
– Plant dense shrubs and small trees for nesting habitat
– Avoid trimming back brush too severely
– Leave some dead wood and leaf litter to provide cover
Incorporate natural elements
– Add native plants that attract insects for the cardinals to eat
– Set up rock or brush piles as hiding spots
– Consider installing nest boxes or platforms
Limit disturbances
– Position feeders and bird baths away from high traffic areas
– Avoid using harsh chemicals or pesticides
– Keep cats indoors to protect nests and young
Be patient
– It may take a season or two for cardinals to discover and use new feeders and nesting spots in your yard
– Continue maintaining the habitat and food sources and they will likely come!
Following these cardinal friendly practices in your yard should allow you to enjoy more encounters with these crested songbirds over time.
What are some fun facts about northern cardinals?
Here are some interesting facts about the northern cardinal that help highlight what makes it such a unique and popular bird:
Vibrant color
– Cardinals get their red color from carotenoid pigments in their diet
– The pigments must be continually consumed, as cardinals can’t produce them internally
Year-round residents
– Cardinals generally don’t migrate, sticking around their home ranges year-round
– This allows them to start breeding earlier in warmer climates
Monogamous pairs
– Mated pairs usually bond for life and stay together year-round
– If one dies, the other may find a new mate
State bird
– The northern cardinal is the state bird of 7 U.S. states, more than any other species
– It was chosen for its familiarity and bright color
Early bird
– Cardinals are early risers, often singing an hour or more before sunrise
– This reminds late-sleepers to get up and welcome the new day!
Backyard favorite
– The cardinal is the mascot of many bird feeding enthusiasts
– Its strong beak makes it adept at tackling large seeds
The northern cardinal is a backyard bird full of surprises. Attract some to your own yard and see what interesting behaviors you can observe!
Conclusion
With its perky red crest, the northern cardinal is one of the most eye-catching and beloved feeder birds in North America. Cardinals owe their flashy plumage to carotenoid pigments from their seed and berry rich diet. Males use their vibrant colors and songs to attract mates, especially in early spring. Besides their aesthetic appeal, cardinals play important ecological roles distributing seeds, pollinating, and contributing to the food web as both predator and prey. They have adapted readily to human-altered habitats, thriving at backyard feeders that provide ample sunflower seeds, their staple winter food. Though not migratory, northern cardinals may wander outside their typical range in late fall and winter while seeking food. Offering cover, nest sites, and suitable foods are the best ways to draw cardinals to your yard. Once present, their melodious whistles, cheerful chipping, and bright plumage will provide year-round enjoyment. If you hear or see a dash of red in the bushes, it’s likely a northern cardinal spreading some cheer!