A cardinal is a bright red songbird found in North and South America. Cardinals are medium-sized passerines in the genus Cardinalis and are part of the cardinal family Cardinalidae. There are numerous species of cardinals, with the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) being one of the most recognizable and common species in North America.
Cardinal Appearance
Cardinals are known for their distinctive bright red plumage. The males have a bright red body, red crest, red mask around the eyes, and a stout red bill. Females are more brownish in color, with some red on their wings, crest, and tail. Both sexes have a prominent crest on their head, which they can raise or lower. Cardinals living in tropical and southern areas tend to have brighter, more vivid plumage while those in more northern areas are paler.
In terms of size, cardinals are medium-sized songbirds. They measure between 8 to 9 inches long and have a wingspan of around 12 inches. They weigh between 1 to 1.5 ounces. For reference, cardinals are slightly smaller than American robins.
Cardinal Habitat
Cardinals are found across a variety of habitats in North America. They do well in both urban and suburban areas as well as more natural woodland habitats. Some key features of cardinal-friendly habitat include:
- Presence of trees, shrubs, and dense vegetation for nesting and roosting
- Nearby sources of food such as seeds, fruits, and insects
- Access to fresh water for drinking and bathing
- Thickets and tangles that provide cover and protection
Cardinals are adaptable birds that can thrive in parks, backyards, forest edges, swamps, and riparian corridors as long as their basic needs are met. They may be found at elevations up to 10,000 feet in some mountainous regions.
Cardinal Diet
Cardinals are omnivorous and eat both plant and animal material. Their diet consists of:
- Seeds and grains
- Fruits such as berries
- Insects including beetles, cicadas, flies, and moths
- Spiders
- Snails
- Tree sap
- Nectar
In backyard settings, cardinals often visit bird feeders stocked with sunflower seeds, safflower, cracked corn, and millet. They use their strong conical bills to crack open seeds. Cardinals forage for food in shrubs, trees, and on the ground. They sometimes fly out from a perch to catch insects in mid-air.
Cardinal Behavior
Northern cardinals are non-migratory, meaning they live year-round through their breeding range. Groups of cardinals living in the same area form loose flocks in the non-breeding season from late summer through winter. These flocks break up as breeding season starts in spring.
Cardinals are territorial birds, with males defending their breeding and nesting territory from other males. They are aggressive in defending their territory and chase away intruders. When chasing off intruders, male cardinals will fly directly at them in mid-air or physically attack them while grounded. Fighting males will peck, bite, and claw at each other.
Cardinals communicate with a variety of vocalizations. Their most recognizable call is a loud, metallic chip note. They also sing melodious songs and calls consisting of clear whistles and slurs to communicate with other cardinals and mark territory. Northern cardinals are able to sing up to 20 different song types.
Cardinal Reproduction
The breeding season for Northern Cardinals runs from March through September. Cardinals are monogamous, typically pairing up with the same mate each breeding season. The male will court the female by feeding her beak-to-beak prior to mating.
The female cardinal builds a cup-shaped nest out of twigs, bark, and leaves. Nest sites are usually low down in dense shrubbery or small trees. She lays a clutch of 3 or 4 eggs which she incubates for 11 to 13 days while the male brings her food. The eggs hatch asynchronously over a span of a few days.
Once hatched, both parents feed and care for the nestlings. The young fledge from the nest around 9 to 11 days after hatching. Males take an active role and often care for and feed the fledglings while the female starts a second brood. Cardinals typically raise 2 to 3 broods per breeding season.
Predators and Threats
Adult cardinals may be taken by birds of prey such as falcons and Cooper’s hawks. Eggs and nestlings are vulnerable to jays, crows, snakes, squirrels, raccoons, and domestic cats.
The biggest threats to cardinal populations are habitat loss and fragmentation. Cardinals prefer contiguous areas of wooded habitat and are averse to crossing large open areas. Fragmentation from agriculture, development, and roads can isolate cardinals and prevent dispersal.
Relationship to Humans
Cardinals are extremely popular birds, being the state bird of no less than 7 U.S. states. This popularity stems from their brilliant coloration, song, and presence in urban and suburban areas. Cardinals readily visit bird feeders, allowing people to observe them up close.
In culture, the cardinal is seen as a symbol of love, health, wealth, and good omens. It is also associated with the winter holidays and Christmas due to its bright red coloration.
Some Native American tribes considered the cardinal a sacred bird. Cherokee tales linked the cardinal’s red color to battles and bloodshed. Hopi legend states that cardinals got their color from dancing around a fire celebrating the agreement between animals and humans.
Conservation Status
The Northern Cardinal has an extensive range estimated at over 8 million square kilometers. The total cardinal population is estimated at over 100 million individuals and stable. Due to their large and growing population, cardinals are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Interesting Cardinal Facts
- Cardinals get their bright red color from the pigments in their food. Pigments called carotenoids that they ingest from fruit and insects are deposited in their feathers.
- Cardinals can live upwards of 15 years in the wild.
- A group of cardinals is called a “college”, “conclave”, or “Vatican” of cardinals.
- Cardinals are the mascots of many high school, college, and professional sports teams.
- Female Northern Cardinals sing from their nests, a behavior relatively uncommon among songbirds.
- Scientists can tell a cardinal’s sex from its song. Males sing more frequently and more complex songs.
- Cardinal fledglings develop reddish plumage just a few weeks after leaving the nest.
- Cardinals can be found even in snowy northern climates as they are able to survive cold winters.
- The carotenoid pigments cardinals ingest to get red feathers also act as antioxidants, boosting their immune system.
Table Comparing Northern Cardinals to American Robins
Feature | Northern Cardinal | American Robin |
---|---|---|
Size | 8 to 9 inches long | 9.1 to 11 inches long |
Wingspan | 12 inches | 14 to 16 inches |
Weight | 1 to 1.5 ounces | 2.7 ounces |
Color | Red body, black face | Gray upperparts, reddish breast |
Song | Loud, metallic chips | Beautiful, flute-like melodies |
Habitat | Woodlands, thickets | Open fields, woodland edges |
Diet | Seeds, fruits, insects | Insects, worms, berries |
Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
As illustrated in the table, Northern Cardinals and American Robins share some traits, like being medium-sized songbirds with Least Concern conservation status. However, they differ significantly in their appearance, songs, preferred habitats, and diets.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cardinals
Why are cardinals red?
Cardinals get their bright red color from pigments called carotenoids in their diet. They eat carotenoid-rich foods like berries, insects, and seeds, which provide red pigments that are deposited in their feathers.
Do cardinals mate for life?
Yes, cardinals are monogamous and mate for life. A mated pair sticks together from year to year and may mate together for many breeding seasons or even their whole lives.
How do cardinals adapt to winter?
Cardinals survive cold winters by fluffing out their feathers for insulation and roosting in cavities or dense vegetation that provide shelter from the wind. They eat berries and seeds to provide energy and fat. Pairs may roost together in winter for warmth.
Why are male and female cardinals different colors?
This difference in coloration is known as sexual dimorphism. The bright red male plumage helps attract females and stands out against green foliage. The duller female plumage provides camouflage while incubating eggs on the nest.
Do cardinals migrate?
No, cardinals do not migrate and instead live year round in their breeding territory or range. They are able to withstand cold northern winters due to their insulation and ability to store fat.
Conclusion
In summary, cardinals are striking red songbirds that hold a special place in the landscapes and cultures of North America. Their bright plumage, songs, behaviors, and adaptability make them iconic and beloved birds. Cardinals form monogamous breeding pairs, defend territories, and raise multiple broods each season. They thrive in diverse habitats from backyards to forests as long as their needs for food, shelter, water and nesting sites are met. With over 100 million individuals, vibrant Northern Cardinal populations look secure for the future.