Yes, the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is found throughout Michigan including the northern parts of the state. The cardinal is a year-round resident across the state.
Overview of Cardinals in Michigan
The northern cardinal is one of the most recognizable and common backyard birds in Michigan. Males have bright red plumage and a distinct crest on their head. Females are more tan in color. Cardinals are non-migratory songbirds that stay in Michigan throughout the year.
Cardinals are found across the entire state of Michigan. Their range extends across eastern North America from southern Canada south through the eastern United States to the Gulf Coast and Mexico. In the north, their range extends west to eastern Montana, Wyoming, and western Texas.
Michigan provides suitable year-round habitat for cardinals with its mix of woodlands, shrublands, suburban parks and backyards. Cardinals are able to find food and shelter during the colder northern winters. Their large, cone-shaped bills allow them to crack open seeds and reach the nutritious inner contents. Cardinals mostly eat seeds, fruits, and insects. They sometimes visit bird feeders.
Northern Cardinals in Northern Michigan
The northern parts of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula as well as the Upper Peninsula provide ample habitat for northern cardinals despite the colder winters. Cardinals are well adapted to handle snow and cold temperatures. Their thick feathers provide insulation. On very cold nights, cardinals fluff their feathers to trap air and warm their bodies.
Key facts about northern cardinals in northern Michigan:
- They are permanent residents, staying year-round rather than migrating.
- They are non-migratory songbirds.
- They have a large range across the northern parts of the Lower Peninsula and throughout the Upper Peninsula.
- They inhabit various habitats including woodlands, thickets, suburban parks and backyards.
- They sometimes visit bird feeders in winter.
- Their loud whistles and songs can be heard even in winter.
- They eat seeds, fruits, and insects. Their cone-shaped bill helps them get seeds.
- Males are bright red with a crest. Females are tan.
- They fluff feathers to keep warm on very cold nights.
Some key areas to spot cardinals in northern Michigan include:
- Hiawatha National Forest
- Hartwick Pines State Park
- Tahquamenon Falls State Park
- Seney National Wildlife Refuge
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
- Beaver Island
- Mackinac Island
- Any wooded areas, parks, or backyards with shrubs and feeders
Cardinal Habits and Behavior
Northern cardinals exhibit the following habits and behaviors in Michigan:
- Diet – Eats mainly seeds and fruits, supplemented with insects. Favors sunflower seeds, fruit berries, corn, and insects like beetles, crickets, and caterpillars.
- Feeders – Often visits bird feeders for seeds, especially sunflower.
- Nesting – Males will mate with several females. The female builds the nest and cares for 3-4 eggs.
- Territory – Males are very territorial and defend their area with fighting and loud song.
- Song – Males sing loud whistled songs year-round to defend territory and attract mates.
- Migration – Non-migratory, stays in Michigan year-round.
- Backyards – A frequent visitor to yards and readily uses bird feeders.
- Adaptations – Thick insulating feathers, fluffs feathers in cold; cone-shaped bill to crack seeds.
By understanding their habits and needs, Michigan residents can provide good cardinal habitat by planting native shrubs and trees and offering seeds and fruit at feeders.
Changes in Cardinal Numbers
According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, northern cardinal numbers in Michigan increased significantly from 1966 to 2015. The estimated increase was +2.5% per year during that period, resulting in a total increase of +250%.
The reasons for the increase likely include:
- Increased habitat in suburbs, parks, and backyards
- Planting of shrubs, small trees, and flower gardens
- More bird feeding by the public
- Ability to adapt to human disturbance and structures
- Lack of migration allows year-round residence
- Few natural predators like hawks and cats don’t typically prey on adults
Bird feeding has helped supplement cardinals’ natural foods. Planting native berry bushes and shelters has also helped cardinals expand. The northern cardinal population remains strong and continues to grow across Michigan.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the northern cardinal is a common year-round resident across the entire state of Michigan including the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula. Cardinals are well adapted to handle cold winters and find plentiful food and shelter. Their numbers have increased significantly in recent decades thanks to habitat creation, bird feeding, and their ability to thrive near humans. Northern cardinals brighten the long Michigan winters with their bright plumage and loud whistling songs.