The Northern Cardinal is one of the most recognizable and beloved birds in North America. With its bright red plumage, distinctive crest, and melodious song, it has captured the fascination of birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts for generations. But how did this striking bird get its memorable name? The origin of the Northern Cardinal’s name reveals a long history of admiration for its vibrant beauty.
The Cardinal’s Scientific Name
The Northern Cardinal’s scientific name provides the first clues to its common name. Its genus is Cardinalis, meaning “cardinal-like” in Latin. This genus name was chosen by the French naturalist Mathurin Jacques Brisson in 1760, referring to the bird’s resemblance to the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church who wear vivid red robes and caps. The Northern Cardinal’s specific epithet is cardinalis, meaning “cardinal” in Latin. Together, the scientific name Cardinalis cardinalis literally means “cardinal cardinal”, highlighting the bird’s clear link to the red-robed religious officials.
Connections to Cardinals in Religion
During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, cardinals were princes of the Roman Catholic Church known for their elaborate red vestments. The word “cardinal” comes from the Latin cardo meaning “hinge”, suggesting these elite church leaders were pivotal in the church’s hierarchy. Many early naturalists like Brisson were clergy members themselves or supported by the church. Naming the vivid North American songbird after these influential religious figures was likely an intentional choice honoring this relationship.
The male Northern Cardinal’s bright red plumage called to mind the brilliant red robes and caps worn by cardinals. In fact, the bird’s crest even resembles the distinctive peaked hats of church cardinals. This visual similarity made the cardinal a natural namesake. The Northern Cardinal joined other birds bearing the names of religious figures like the Blue Jay, believed to resemble bishops in blue vestments.
Early Descriptions Emphasize Red Color
Some of the earliest European colonists to encounter the Northern Cardinal focused intensely on its attention-grabbing red color when documenting the species. In 1672, English settler John Banister wrote of the “Virginian Red Bird”, emphasizing its scarlet hues. In 1758, Swedish naturalist Carolus Linnaeus gave it the scientific name Loxia Cardinalis, using Loxia for finch but still recognizing its cardinal-like redness.
As more colonists arrived, they adopted variations of the nickname “Virginia redbird” including “redbird”, “red bird” and “Virginia nightingale”. The cardinal’s red color clearly left a strong impression on these early observers, dominating their descriptions and even early names for the New World species. The religious connotation was also likely on their minds, even if indirectly, as cardinals were prominent figures in European Christianity.
The Name Solidifies in the Early 1800s
By the early 19th century, varying common names were used for the bird but “cardinal” became the most widely accepted term. In 1811, Alexander Wilson’s influential American Ornithology helped popularize “cardinal” in official ornithological circles. Audubon also used “cardinal” in his writings and illustrations. The 1848 Sennett’s Cardinalis cardinalis engraving by the Havell company cemented it in visual culture.
But early folk terms persisted in some regions. In parts of the south it was dubbed the “redbird”. In Mexico, early settlers called it the “cardinalito” meaning little cardinal. But most sources settled on simply “cardinal”, linking it definitively back to the red-robed Catholic clergy.
Reasons Why “Cardinal” Stuck
So why did “cardinal” become the accepted common name of this bird over other descriptors emphasizing its red color? There are several likely reasons this name had staying power:
- Distinctive plumage – No other common North American bird shared its bright red feathers so “cardinal” uniquely identified it
- Religious ties – Its parallels to cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church connected it to a familiar cultural symbol
- Official adoption – Its use by influential early ornithologists like Wilson cemented its scientific name
- Widespread range – As its range expanded, “cardinal” spread with it and was consistent across regions
- Melodious song – As a vocal and musical species, a melodious name like cardinal fit it well
While alternative folk names persisted in some areas, most who admired this vivid bird accepted “cardinal” as a fitting name reflecting both its appearance and melodious presence.
Male vs Female Cardinals
The common name “cardinal” actually only accurately describes the adult males of the species. Adult male Northern Cardinals are the only birds displaying the brilliant red plumage that inspired its name. Adult females, in contrast, have mostly drab light brown and olive feathers for camouflage.
So why did the name cardinal become so widespread when only half the species has red feathers? In most bird species, the male’s plumage is larger, brighter and more distinctive than the female’s. The high visibility of the bright red males likely overshadowed the subtler females in early encounters between Europeans and cardinals. The males’ vibrant color just screams “cardinal”.
The males are also far more vocal, singing boldly from high exposed perches. Their melodious whistles carry over great distances. They also feed more in the open than the shyer females. So the name “cardinal” stems primarily from the traits and behaviors of the males.
Female Cardinals Overlooked
This phenomenon of the showy male representing the whole species is shared by other vibrantly colored birds like goldfinches, orioles, and tanagers. But overlooking the female cardinal may have been an even greater injustice. Female Northern Cardinals play a bigger role in the species’ survival.
Females largely build the nests, incubate eggs, and brood nestlings without much male assistance. Their camouflage helps them sit safely on nests. They are also fiercely territorial and protective of their nests and young. A devoted female cardinal will fearlessly attack much larger intruders. The female truly is the backbone of cardinal reproduction!
Regional Names for Female Cardinals
Some regional folk names have acknowledged the difference between male and female cardinals. In parts of Texas and the southwest, the females are dubbed “pyrrhuloxias”. This elegant name comes from the female’s scientific genus name Cardinalis sinuatus pyrrhuloxias. It distinguishes these olive-colored birds from their scarlet-feathered mates.
Other colloquial names for females include “clamshell cardinal”, “grey cardinal”, and “wood cardinal”. But in most of the species’ range, the common name cardinal is used for both sexes, emphasizing vivid males over their demure but vital female counterparts.
Subspecies of Cardinals
Northern Cardinals occur over a wide area of North America and parts of Central America and northern South America. Populations in different regions show subtle variations in shade, size and vocalizations. Scientists have identified 12 subspecies of Northern Cardinals, including:
- C. c. cardinalis – The original eastern US type first described
- C. c. affinis – Western Cardinals found west of the Great Plains
- C. c. littoralis – South Texas and northeastern Mexico coast
- C. c. carneus – Southern Florida and Keys
- C. c. saturatus – The pale “Yellow-billed Cardinal” of western Mexico
- C. c. igneus – Very pale grayish “Florida Gray Cardinal”
- C. c. coccineus – Brilliantly colored “Vermilion Cardinal” of parts of interior Mexico
- C. c. superbus – Deep red Nicaraguan cardinals
Despite these regional variations in shade and size, most subspecies are still vivid red. So throughout their broad range spanning thousands of miles, most cardinals live up to the name!
Subspecies | Range | Appearance |
---|---|---|
C. c. cardinalis | Eastern US and southeast Canada | Classic red cardinal |
C. c. affinis | Western US and southwest Canada | Paler red |
C. c. littoralis | Gulf coasts of Mexico and Texas | Small and dark red |
C. c. carneus | Florida and Keys | Pale orange-red |
Conclusion
The Northern Cardinal owes its iconic common name to the male’s brilliant red plumage that resembled the vivid vestments of Catholic cardinals. Early colonists and naturalists linked the bird to these religious figures in their writings. As the new United States expanded west, “cardinal” stuck as the accepted term thanks to this distinctive color, melodious song, and official adoption by ornithologists like Wilson and Audubon.
While the rich red feathers of the males inspired the common name, the critical nurturing roles of females should not be overlooked. Perhaps someday a more inclusive common name will acknowledge the brownish-olive females as well. But for now, the cardinal’s name recognizes one of nature’s most radiant birds and how its beauty has captivated humans for centuries.