Northern Cardinal is a striking songbird. Their appearance sets them apart from any other bird species, particularly the red plumage. It is a beloved symbol of beauty and vitality across its range in North America.
In this article, we will provide an overview of the diet, habitat, and behavior of Northern Cardinal. Read till the last and get to know about the details of this magnificent bird.
Overview of Northern Cardinal
Scientific Name: Cardinalis cardinalis
Other Names: Cardinal, Red Cardinal, Res-crested Cardinal
Length: 21 to 23 centimeters
Weight: 42 to 48 grams
Size: Medium
Life Span: 3 to 15 years
Appearance: Male has red plumage with a distinctive crest on the head, female has pale brown plumage with reddish tinges on the wings, tail, and crest
Range: Originally from North America, Expanding Northwards
Habitat: Prefers woodland edges, gardens, shrublands, and suburban areas with dense vegetation
Diet: Primarily seeds, fruits, and insects
Behavior: Territorial and Monogamous
Breeding: Breeds in spring and summer, female incubates 2-5 eggs for about 11-13 days
Conservation Status: Common and widespread; populations stable across its range
Common Predators: Eastern screech owls, Cooper's hawks, Falcons, Shrikes, Long-eared owls, Cats and Dogs
Details About Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal is a thick-billed, long-tailed songbird. The bird is popular for its colorful plumage. These birds have a prominent crest on their head which they can raise or lower depending on their mood. Northern Cardinal is the state bird of seven states namely North Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Male Northern Cardinals bear brilliant red plumage while the females appear pale brown but still have some reddish tinges on the body surface. Hence, the bright-colored ones are males for which these birds are known. Males also have a black mask and throat that perfectly contrast its red color.
Males are slightly larger than the females and have a dominant crest. Males are highly territorial and females are aggressive. Males are the primary singers and can make loud sounds whereas females are softer and use vocalization mainly to communicate with their mate.
A Brief History About Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal is native to North America. They have also been found from southern Canada through the eastern and central United States, down into Mexico and Central America.
Due to their vibrant red color and melodious singing habit, they were kept as cage birds which became popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Northern Cardinals are now protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the United States. This treaty act looks after the capture, trade, and keeping of wild birds. So, if you are planning to capture these birds, you must have a valid permit.
Life Cycle of Northern Cardinal
The breeding season of Nothern Cardinals is typically in spring and early summer. The female constructs a nest from twigs, leaves, grasses, and other plant materials. The nests are mainly built in dense shrubs, small trees, or vines, usually 3-10 feet above the ground.
The females can lay 2 to 5 eggs at a time, which are pale greenish-white with brown speckles. The females incubate the eggs for 12 to 13 days, keeping the eggs warm and protected during this period.
The eggs hatch in a desynchronized pattern (the eggs don't hatch at the same time) and once hatched, they need constant feeding from their parents.
After 7 to 15 days of hatching, the feathers are fully developed and the chicks leave the nest. After the fledging period also they are not fully developed, so parents continue to feed and care for the fledglings for several weeks after leaving the nest.
Gradually, parents teach them to forage on their own. The following spring the adult Cardinals reach sexual maturity and are capable of breeding.
Northern Cardinals are opportunistic feeders. They feed on seeds, fruits or insects depending on the availability. These birds have specialized beaks that can easily crack open the seeds and extract the nutrients present in the kernels.
They love feeding on sunflower seeds and also prefer other ones like safflower seeds and milo seeds. They also consume seeds available in weeds/ grass such as dandelions and thistles. These seeds have a significant amount of fats and protein, which provides the Carolinas with the essential energy reserves needed for their day-to-day activities.
Descended from wild, the favorite diet of North Cardinal is fruits, specifically wild ones. They forage for wild fruits and love eating elderberries, blackberries, mulberries, and dogwood berries.
They forage in shrubby areas, forest edges, and along hedgerows and use their strong beaks to pluck fruits from branches. When they are away from forests, specifically in residential areas/ gardens, they have been found munching on cherries and grapes.
When seeds and fruits are unavailable, Cardinals start to feed on insects. Opportunistic insectivores, these birds feed on various types of beetles, caterpillars, ants, caterpillars and other invertebrates.
Northern Cardinals use their foraging techniques to capture insects. They grasp, manipulate, and consume their prey with the help of their beaks.
Cardinals typically choose nesting sites with dense vegetation. These areas are perfect for their protection from predators. They often select locations for their nests that are 3 to 10 feet off the ground for safety purposes.
The female cardinals construct the nest where these birds lay eggs later. Suitable areas are also selected based on the availability of food.
Woodland Edges and Forest: Northern Cardinals are the common inhabitants of deciduous and mixed forests. The deciduous forests have trees like oaks, maples, and hickories that shed their leaves occasionally.
As the leaves remain intact for a long time, the nests remain protected from predators. These sites also have food sources like seeds, berries, and insects. The woodland edges also provide them with a mix of dense vegetation for nesting and open areas for foraging.
Shrubby Areas: They also like to nest in dense shrubby areas. They prefer thickets, brushy areas, and overgrown fields where they feel protected from their predators.
Parks and gardens: They are also attracted to parks and gardens where fruit-bearing plants and trees are present. They live on these trees and feed on the available fruits and berries.
Wetland: Northern Cardinals are often found at the edges of wetlands. Such areas appear between water and terrestrial habitats and has a mix of dense vegetation and open spaces, perfect for sheltering for the Cardinals.
Frequent Visitors To Backyard Bird Feeders: Cardinals frequently visit backyard feeders. They view the feeders as a reliable and accessible source of food. This situation is mainly observed in urban and suburban settings, where Carolinas have few places to forage.
Some of the important activities and characteristics of Northern Cardinal related to their environment, social dynamics, and breeding habits are discussed below:
They Live On Pairs
Northern Cardinals typically form pairs during the breeding season. They maintain these pair bonds year-round, during this time they rear their young ones. Outside of the breeding season, Northern Cardinals forage alone or in loose flocks with other Cardinals and mixed-species groups.
Territorial
Male Cardinals primarily exhibit a territorial nature as they perceive other male Cardinals as rivals. They mark their territories and show various behaviors to defend and deter intruders, especially during the breeding season. With their loud sound, the Cardinals whistle, trill and continuously repeat the phrases.
The male Cardinals have their own distinct song repertoire that they use against intruders. These songs evolve and have altering pitch and rhythm. With their own kind of variation, the Cardinals assert dominance and signal intruders to get out of their zone.
In addition to vocalizations, male Cardinals also display aggressive behaviors. They raise their crests, fluff their feathers, and confront intruders with rapid movements.
They also intimidate the intruders by standing tall with an erect posture and raising their crest. Most of the conflicts with the neighboring birds are resolved through vocal displays and posturing.
Monogamous
Northern Cardinals make life-long partners. They mate for life and work together to raise their young. Upon bond establishment, the female incubates the eggs, and the male searches for food.
They also protect their nesting site together. The mating pair is established based on the territory quality, plumage brightness, and song quality.
This behavior however changes if one of the mates dies earlier. In this case, the remaining bird quickly looks for a new mate!
Melodious Singers
Northern Cardinals are renowned for their melodious singing abilities. Their songs are described as whistled phrases that vary in pitch and rhythm. Each male Cardinal has its own distinct kind of phrases.
The singing ability is used for communication. Different messages such as alarm calls against threats or contact calls between family members may be delivered through vocalization.
Male Cardinals also sing when they have to attract females during the breeding season. They generally sing to impress females with their musical talents. The males with clear and complex rhythms of song attract females the most.
Lastly, the songs are also for territorial defense, Whenever a male Cardinal perceives fear, it starts to sing in a persistent high pitch. The song serves as a clear signal of ownership and a warning to other males to stay away.
Northern Cardinals have been kept as caged birds for a long time. Cardinals are generally kept singly or in pairs in the cage and can also be put together with other non-aggressive species of birds.
While not a social bird, cardinals can recognize and bond with their human caregivers. While in the cage, they may enjoy playing with toys, as they enjoy manipulating objects and have a playful nature.
Year-round Residents
Northern Cardinals are primarily year-round residents. In most cases, they do not undertake regular long-distance migrations like many other bird species.
Instead, Carolinas remain in their breeding and feeding territories throughout all seasons. During this time, they establish and defend territories that provide essential resources such as food, water, and nesting sites.
Without the disruption of migration, they easily engage in courtship rituals and cooperative breeding efforts.
Seasonal Movements
While Northern Cardinals are primarily known for their year-round residency in their territories, there are some instances where seasonal movements can occur. These movements however are not true long-distance migrations.
The young Cardinals may disperse from their natal territories in late summer or early fall. They establish new territories where they find their mate and settle or also can join existing populations.
In some regions, Cardinals may move from higher elevations to lower elevations where temperatures are milder. Such kind of movement is observed in the areas where the winters are extremely harsh.
Flocking
During non-breeding periods, especially in winter, Northern Cardinals show flocking behavior. The Cardinals may join other bird species such as chickadees, titmice, sparrows, and sometimes even finches.
These flocks provide benefits such as increased foraging and efficient food searching, enhanced predator detection, and shared knowledge about food sources.
Interesting Facts About Northern Cardinals
Some of the interesting facts about northern cardinals are listed below:
Their Feathers Have Pigments From Diet! The attractive feather color of the cardinals comes from their own diets like fruits and insects. Carotenoids are the main pigment present. If the diet is not sufficient in these pigments, their red colors may fade away.
They Are Expanding!! The cardinals have expanded their range northwards. They are adaptable birds and have expanded the most during the last decades.
They Can Go Bald! Baldness is common in cardinals. They can go partially or totally bald due to excessive molting. In most cases, the baldness is temporary.
