Cardinals are beloved backyard birds found in many parts of North America. With their bright red plumage and distinctive crest, cardinals add a pop of color and cheer to gardens and bird feeders. But what exactly are cardinals from a scientific perspective? Let’s explore the genus and species of these familiar songbirds.
The Genus of the Northern Cardinal
The northern cardinal belongs to the genus Cardinalis, which includes a total of 18 species of cardinals found throughout North and South America. The genus Cardinalis belongs to the family Cardinalidae, which includes cardinals, grosbeaks, and saltators. Here are some key facts about the Cardinalis genus:
- The genus name Cardinalis comes from the Latin word for “hinge”, referring to the cardinal’s short, hinged bill.
- Northern cardinals are the only member of the genus Cardinalis found naturally in North America north of Mexico.
- Other Cardinalis species found in the Americas include the vermilion cardinal, red-capped cardinal, yellow-billed cardinal, and masked cardinal.
- Cardinals in the genus Cardinalis are known for their colorful plumage, crest, thick conical bills, and melodious songs.
- The genus Cardinalis is classified in the family Cardinalidae, order Passeriformes, and class Aves.
The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) resides in the same genus as South American species, indicating their shared ancestry. However, the northern cardinal is the only member of Cardinalis found wild in most of North America.
The Species of the Northern Cardinal
The specific epithet of the northern cardinal is cardinalis. Therefore, the full scientific name is Cardinalis cardinalis. This means the northern cardinal is actually the “cardinal cardinal”! Here are some details on the species C. cardinalis:
- C. cardinalis has several subspecies found across different regions, with some variation in size and shade of red.
- The common name “northern cardinal” distinguishes it from cardinal species residing farther south.
- Male and female C. cardinalis can be easily distinguished by their plumage, with males a vibrant red and females a pale brownish color.
- Juveniles start with brown plumage similar to adult females, acquiring more red feathers as they mature.
- The total population of northern cardinals is estimated at over 100 million.
- C. cardinalis has a large range across eastern North America, extending into Mexico and Central America.
The northern cardinal was one of the many species originally described by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century. Linnaeus gave it the binomial name Loxia cardinalis in 1758. It was later moved to its current genus Cardinalis.
Identification Features of Cardinalis cardinalis
The northern cardinal is easily identifiable by the following distinctive features:
- Size: 21-23.5 cm long, with a wingspan around 30 cm and weight of 33-65 g.
- Plumage: Adult males are brilliant crimson red overall, with a short crest and black face mask. Females are pale brownish with reddish accents in wings, tail, and crest.
- Bill: Thick, conical bill that is red in males and orangey-red in females.
- Song: Melodious songs with whistles, twitters, and powerful repeated phrases like “cheer cheer cheer” or “birdy birdy birdy.”
- Range: Found across eastern and central North America, extending into Mexico and Central America.
The male cardinal’s striking red plumage makes it essentially unmistakable. Females also can be recognized from their crest and reddish accents compared to other backyard birds.
Northern Cardinal Habitat and Diet
Northern cardinals occupy a range of habitats, especially those with dense shrubs and small trees. Some key habitat and dietary facts include:
- Found in open woodlands, thickets, overgrown fields, forest edges, parks, and residential areas with shrubs and feeders.
- Eats mainly seeds and fruit, including those from dogwood, elm, oak, grape, sumac, and corn plants.
- Also consumes insects like beetles, cicadas, ants, and flies, especially during breeding season when protein needs are higher.
- Forages for food on the ground or in low vegetation; males can also catch insects in mid-air.
- Drinks water regularly when available, swallowing with a titling, head-up motion.
Cardinals thrive in habitats where they can find natural cover as well as backyard feeders stocked with sunflower seeds, corn, millet, safflower, and fruit. They play an important role distributing seeds from fruit-bearing native plants.
Range Map of Cardinalis cardinalis
The northern cardinal has an extensive range across central and eastern North America. This map shows the breeding and year-round range of C. cardinalis:
Source: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
As the map indicates, cardinals can be found year-round across the eastern United States, as far north as Massachusetts. Their range extends west to Texas and south into Mexico, Central America, and even the northernmost parts of South America.
Taxonomy and Systematics of Cardinals
Northern cardinals belong to the diverse order Passeriformes (perching birds) and family Cardinalidae. Here is a summary of the scientific classification of the northern cardinal:
Taxonomic Rank | Scientific Name |
---|---|
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Aves |
Order | Passeriformes |
Family | Cardinalidae |
Genus | Cardinalis |
Species | Cardinalis cardinalis |
This hierarchy reflects our current understanding of how cardinals relate to other groups of living things, based on shared characteristics and evolutionary history.
Closely Related Species
Within the genus Cardinalis, the northern cardinal is most closely related to the following Central and South American species:
- Vermilion cardinal (C. phoeniceus)
- Red-capped cardinal (C. pileatus)
- Yellow-billed cardinal (C. crassirostris)
- Masked cardinal (C. nigrocinctus)
These tropical cardinals share common ancestry with C. cardinalis but have diverged into separate species adapted to different environments.
Conservation Status
The northern cardinal has a conservation status of “Least Concern” according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The species is widespread and abundant throughout much of its range. Population trends are currently stable, and no major threats to the overall species have been identified.
In parts of the US and Mexico, northern cardinal numbers may have increased in recent decades as human activity created new habitats like suburban areas, parks, and backyards with bird feeders. However, their populations could potentially decline if these food sources were reduced.
Interesting Facts About Northern Cardinals
Beyond their colorful feathers, northern cardinals have many fascinating aspects of their biology and behavior. Here are some interesting facts about Cardinalis cardinalis:
- Cardinal pairs form lifelong bonds and may mate for life, staying together throughout the year.
- Males feed incubating females by regurgitating food into their beaks.
- Bright red plumage comes from carotenoid pigments in their diet, mainly from seeds and fruit.
- Male cardinals are highly territorial and defend their home ranges from intruders.
- Both parents feed nestlings with a diet rich in insects to provide protein for growth.
- Male cardinals sing at dawn to defend territories and attract mates.
- Cardinals can survive 12+ years in the wild.
The striking appearance and melodious songs of the northern cardinal brighten up many backyards across North America. Learning about their natural history reveals the remarkable biology of this familiar songbird.
Conclusion
The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a beloved backyard bird adored for its brilliant red plumage. It belongs to the genus Cardinalis in the family Cardinalidae. While multiple cardinal species reside in Central and South America, the northern cardinal is the only member of its genus found widely across eastern North America.
With its conspicuous crest, red feathers, thick conical bill, and melodious whistling songs, the northern cardinal is easily identifiable. It thrives in habitats with dense shrubs and small trees. Northern cardinals form lifelong pair bonds and the parents cooperate to build nests, incubate eggs, and feed their young.
From its taxonomy and systematics to its habitat, diet, and interesting behaviors, the northern cardinal exemplifies the diversity and beauty of North America’s avian wildlife. Learning more about this iconic songbird provides insight into the natural world in our own backyards.