Cardinals are one of the most easily identifiable backyard birds in North America thanks to the male’s bright red plumage. These striking birds have a distinctive melodic song that adds cheer to backyards and gardens throughout their range.
Do male and female cardinals sing?
Yes, both male and female cardinals sing. In fact, cardinals are one of the few songbird species where the females sing nearly as often as the males.
Cardinals have a wide repertoire of songs and calls used for different purposes. The most recognizable is the loud, melodic song the males sing to establish their breeding territories and attract mates. Female cardinals also sing though their songs are generally shorter and simpler than the males’.
What does a male cardinal’s song sound like?
The male cardinal’s signature song is a loud, melodic string of clear downslurred or two-parted whistles. It is often described as sounding like “cheer, cheer, cheer” or “birdie, birdie, birdie.” The song is one of the loudest and most recognizable in North America.
Male cardinals sing their complex songs from high, prominent perches to mark their breeding territories and attract females. The males may sing their full song repeatedly for minutes at a time, especially early in the breeding season.
What does a female cardinal’s song sound like?
The female cardinal sings a shorter, simpler song than the male. Her most common song is a series of chirpy, metallic chips typically described as sounding like “chip, chip, chip.”
Females also sing a high-pitched trilling song and sometimes give shortened versions of the male’s signature song. In general though, the female’s songs lack the richness and complexity of the male’s sustained melodies.
Do males and females duet?
Yes, mated pairs of cardinals will sometimes sing together in a duet. The male and female sit side-by-side and take turns singing short phrases of their songs together.
Cardinal duets help the pair stay in contact and defend their territory. The duets are especially common in spring as pairs defend their nesting areas but may occur anytime the birds are active during the breeding season.
Why do cardinals sing?
Cardinals sing for several important reasons related to breeding:
- To attract a mate
- To defend a breeding territory
- To communicate with their mate
- To warn off rivals and predators
Singing is especially important for male cardinals trying to attract a female. Females pay attention to how well males can sing when choosing a mate.
When are cardinals most vocal?
Cardinals sing year-round but their singing increases dramatically during the spring breeding season.
The males are most vocal in early spring when they are establishing breeding territories and trying to attract mates. They sing loudly and persistently throughout the day. Their singing drops off once they attract a mate but picks back up later in the season as they defend their nesting sites.
Females sing actively while building nests and occasionally through the rest of the breeding season. Both sexes may sing more sporadically in winter flocks or when defending feeders.
How does song vary across cardinal populations?
The basic structure and tone of cardinal songs is similar across their range. However, regional dialects have been observed in some cardinal populations.
For example, west coast cardinals tend to sing faster trills than midwestern or eastern populations. Some call differences have also been noted between northern and southern cardinals.
Researchers believe cardinals may learn local song nuances as they disperse from their birthplace. Singing local dialects helps cardinals identify neighbors and attract mates from their own population.
Do other birds sing like cardinals?
While the cardinal’s song is iconic, other backyard birds share some similarities in their melodic songs and vocal behaviors:
- Northern mockingbirds are famous mimics and often copy phrases of cardinal songs.
- Wood thrushes have rich, flute-like songs somewhat reminiscent of cardinals.
- Red-winged blackbirds have melodic, complex songs, often sung while perched high.
- Chickadees have a two-parted whistled song but lack the cardinal’s song length and complexity.
However, no North American songbird matches the cardinal in its song power and vocalization habits. The males are among the loudest singers for their size, and few other songbirds use song equally in courtship and territory defense.
How can I attract cardinals?
You can increase your chances of attracting cardinals to your yard with these tips:
- Provide a source of fresh water for drinking and bathing.
- Offer a variety of bird feeders stocked with sunflower seeds, safflower, suet, millet and fruit.
- Plant native trees, shrubs and flowers that provide seeds, berries and nesting habitat.
- Supply natural materials like twigs and shredded bark for nest building.
- Avoid pesticides that reduce the insect food sources cardinals rely on.
Providing cover, food and nesting places will draw in and keep cardinal pairs returning to your yard. Then you can enjoy their beautiful songs for many seasons!
Conclusion
The northern cardinal is well known for its vibrant plumage and melodious song. While both male and female cardinals sing, the males are louder, more persistent singers whose complex songs can distinguish them even when the bright red plumage is hidden.
The male cardinal’s mating and territory songs provide some of the iconic sounds of an American backyard. Understanding the meaning behind the male’s boisterous song and the softer songs of his mate provides insight into the daily dramas of cardinal behavior for any backyard birding enthusiast.