Northern Cardinal: Migratory, Behavior, And More
The Northern Cardinal is one of the most recognizable and popular birds in North America. Widespread across eastern and central parts of the continent, cardinals live in a variety of habitats from gardens and parks to forests and wetlands.
Read on to learn more about the identification, symbolism, behavior, conservation status, and unique traits of this beautiful backyard bird.
What Are the Identifying Features of The Northern Cardinal?
Several key features make the Northern Cardinal easy to identify. Adult males are almost entirely red with a black face mask and prominent crest. Females are tan to reddish-brown with red accents in the wings, tail, and crest.
Both sexes have a thick red bill and pink legs and feet. Juveniles start out with brown plumage similar to females, getting redder as they mature.
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Northern Cardinal Profile
| Name | Features |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cardinalis cardinalis |
| Alternative Names | Redbird, Virginia nightingale |
| Color | Males’ bright red, females tan/gray with red accents |
| Lifespan | 3 years average, up to 15 years recorded |
| Wingspan | 10-12 inches |
| Weight | Average 1.58 ounces |
| Size | 8-9 inches long |
| Diet | Insects, seeds, berries, fruit |
| Breeding Season | March-September, 2-3 broods |
| Eggs Per Clutch | 2-5 eggs |
| Locations | Eastern and southern U.S., southeast Canada, Mexico |
| Threats and Predators | Outdoor cats, hawks, owls, snakes, loss of habitat |
| Prey Eaten | Insects, spiders, snails, wild seeds and berries |
Is The Northern Cardinal A State Bird or State Symbol?
The cardinal is the official state bird of no less than 7 U.S. states, more than any other species. These include Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. It’s also the state bird of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
The bright red color and prevalence across eastern states made the Northern Cardinal a natural choice. Its status reinforces its cultural symbolism of romance and winter holiday cheer.
How Many Subspecies of Northern Cardinal Exist?
There were 19 recognized subspecies of the Northern Cardinal found across different regions. This also includes the common Cardinals in the eastern U.S.
- C. cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758)
- C. cardinalis affinis (Nelson, 1899)
- C. cardinalis canicaudus (Chapman, 1891)
- C. cardinalis carneus (Lesson, 1842)
- C. cardinalis clintoni (Banks, 1963)
- C. cardinalis coccineus (Ridgway, 1873)
- C. cardinalis flammiger (J.L. Peters, 1913)
- C. cardinalis floridanus (Ridgway, 1896)
- C. cardinalis igneus (S.F. Baird, 1860)
- C. cardinalis littoralis (Nelson, 1897)
- C. cardinalis magnirostris (Bangs, 1903)
- C. cardinalis mariae (Nelson, 1898)
- C. cardinalis phillipsi (Parkes, 1997)
- C. cardinalis saturatus (Ridgway, 1885)
- C. cardinalis. seftoni (Huey, 1940)
- C. cardinalis sinaloensis (Nelson, 1899)
- C. cardinalis superbus (Ridgway, 1885)
- C. cardinalis townsendi (van Rossem, 1932)
- C. cardinalis yucatanicus (Ridgway, 1887)
However, modern taxonomic authorities now group all Northern Cardinal populations into a single polytypic species, Cardinalis cardinalis, rather than dividing them into distinct subspecies. However, some minor geographic variations across populations still exist.
What Is the Population Status of The Northern Cardinal?
Extremely common, the Northern Cardinal has a large range and population estimated at over 100 million.
The species was affected by hunting for the pet trade in the late 19th century but made a resurgence and expanded its range north in the 20th century. Cardinals adapt readily to human habitats.
Are Northern Cardinals Migratory?
The Northern Cardinal is considered a permanent resident throughout its range and does not migrate annually over long distances.
However, birds at the northern extent of their range may migrate short distances south and populations can exhibit regional movements based on food availability.
What Are Some Classic Behaviors of The Northern Cardinal?
- Territorial songbirds, males sing loud whistled songs and will attack intruding males.
- Forage for insects, seeds, and berries in bushes and trees; common at bird feeders.
- Monogamous pairs mate for life and jointly build cup-shaped nests out of twigs, bark, and grass.
- Males feed incubating females as they incubate eggs and care for altricial young in the nest.
- Aggressive personalities are known to attack their own reflections thinking they are rivals.
How do humans interact with and impact Northern Cardinals?
Cardinals have an important cultural connection with humans across their range. They are the state bird of 7 states and Puerto Rico. Cardinal red symbolizes romance and the winter holiday season.
Many sports teams and schools have adopted the cardinal as their mascot. Cardinals remain one of the most observed and enjoyed backyard birds for their beauty, song, and behavior.
What Conservation Issues Affect Northern Cardinals?
Widespread, common, and adaptable, Northern Cardinals are not considered threatened. However, habitat loss does pose a concern, especially logging and clearing of bottomland forests used for wintering and breeding.
Cardinals may also be killed by predation from domestic cats. Maintaining natural habitats and keeping cats indoors helps support cardinal populations.
What Laws Protect Northern Cardinals?
The Northern Cardinal is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the United States. Under this law, it is illegal to take, kill, or possess Northern Cardinals, their eggs, feathers, or nests.
The law covers both intentional and unintentional harm. Violations can result in fines of up to $15,000 and imprisonment of up to six months.
This protection reflects the Northern Cardinal’s value as a native bird species and makes harming cardinals or their nests a punishable offense. Conservation efforts aim to maintain healthy cardinal populations under this legal protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. How can I attract Northern Cardinals to my backyard?
To attract Northern Cardinals, provide bird feeders stocked with sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and cracked corn. Planting native shrubs and trees, such as dogwood and sunflowers, can offer both food and shelter.
02. Are Northern Cardinals monogamous?
Northern Cardinals are monogamous birds. Mated pairs form strong bonds and typically stay together for multiple breeding seasons, if not for life. They collaborate in nest-building, raising their young, and defending their territory.
03. Why do cardinals attack windows or cars?
Male cardinals aggressively defend their territories, and their reflection in windows or car mirrors may appear to them as an invading rival male. They repeatedly fly at the glass in an attempt to drive the intruder away. placing decals on windows can deter this behavior.
04. Do female Northern Cardinals sing like their male counterparts?
While both male and female Northern Cardinals can vocalize, the males are more known for their melodious songs. Females tend to sing less frequently and have softer calls.
Final Word
With its vibrant color, musical voice, familiarity, and symbolic importance, the Northern Cardinal truly epitomizes a favorite backyard bird. Providing habitat through native plants and bird-friendly yards allows us to enjoy the beauty of cardinals and support their populations.
The cardinal will surely maintain its reign as one of North America’s most beloved birds for generations to come.
References
- The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “Northern Cardinal.” All About Birds. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Cardinal
- The Audubon Society. “Northern Cardinal.” Audubon Field Guide. https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/northern-cardinal
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. “Birds of Conservation Concern.” https://www.fws.gov/program/migratory-birds/species
