The Northern Cardinal, also known as the common cardinal or redbird, belongs to the family Cardinalidae, which consists of 19 species of birds found primarily in North and South America. The Northern Cardinal (scientific name Cardinalis cardinalis) is probably the most well known member of this family. The male Northern Cardinal has bright red plumage, a black face mask, and a conspicuous crest on the top of its head.
Cardinalidae – The Cardinal Family
The Cardinalidae family consists of small to medium-sized songbirds with thick, conical bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The family name comes from the Northern Cardinal, which was one of the first species in the family to be scientifically described. Here are some key facts about the Cardinalidae family:
- There are 19 recognized species in 2 genera (Cardinalis and Piranga).
- They occur naturally only in the Americas, ranging from Canada to Argentina.
- Most species live in open woodland, thickets, and forest edges.
- They are typically non-migratory and remain resident year-round in their breeding range.
- They mainly eat seeds and insects.
- They build cup-shaped nests low in trees or shrubs.
- The males of most species are brightly colored with red, orange, or yellow plumage.
- Many species have crests on the top of their heads.
- Their songs are melodious whistles.
- Some well-known members include the Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Vermilion Flycatcher, and various tanagers.
Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal is by far the most widespread and recognizable member of the Cardinal family. Here are some key facts about this familiar backyard bird:
- Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis
- Length: 8.3-9.1 inches
- Wingspan: 9.8-12.2 inches
- Weight: 1.5-1.7 ounces
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
- Habitat: Woodland edges, thickets, gardens, parks
- Range: Eastern North America, south-central Canada, Mexico, Guatemala
- Male has bright red plumage, black face mask, pointed crest
- Female is pale brown overall with reddish tinges
- Diet consists mainly of seeds and insects
- Melodious whistled song
- Nest is a well-concealed cup in dense shrub or thicket
The Northern Cardinal is one of the most loved and recognized backyard birds in North America. The male’s brilliant red plumage makes it unmistakable. Northern Cardinals are non-migratory, remaining year-round across eastern and central North America and down into Central America.
Appearance
The male Northern Cardinal is perhaps one of the most aesthetically striking birds, with its vivid red plumage offset by a black face mask that extends from the beak to past the eye. The mask is bordered above by a prominent red crest. The male’s red plumage extends over most of its body, wings, and tail.
The female Northern Cardinal is more muted in coloration. It has pale brown plumage over most of its body with touches of reddish on its crest, wings, and tail. The female exhibits a mask similar to the male, but it is grayish-black.
Both sexes have stout, conical beaks that are a reddish color. Their eyes are dark brown. Northern Cardinals are medium-sized songbirds, measuring 8-9 inches in length with a wingspan around 10 inches.
Distribution and Habitat
The Northern Cardinal has a wide distribution across eastern and central North America, ranging from southern Canada through the eastern and central United States, and into Mexico and Guatemala. It is found year-round across much of its breeding range. Northern Cardinals occupy a diversity of semi-open habitats including woodland edges, riparian thickets, overgrown fields, hedgerows, suburban parks and backyards. They avoid dense forest interiors.
Their range expanded northward significantly in the past century as forest clearance opened up more habitat. Backyard bird feeding has also aided northern expansion by providing supplemental food during winter. Cardinals are now a common sight through much of the eastern half of the US and southern Canada.
Behavior
Northern Cardinals are primarily non-migratory, remaining resident year-round across much of their range. Those that inhabit far northern parts of the range may migrate southward in winter.
They are inquisitive and often conspicuous as they forage in shrubs and thickets. Northern Cardinals typically feed close to the ground and hop between branches while searching for food. Cardinals are very territorial during the breeding season, with males defending their territory vigorously through song and aggressive displays.
Outside of breeding season, Northern Cardinals often feed and roost in loose flocks. They may associate with other species of songbirds in mixed foraging flocks while migrating or on wintering grounds. Cardinals are regular visitors to bird feeders.
Diet
The diet of the Northern Cardinal consists primarily of seeds and fruit. They eat a wide variety of seeds from herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees. Common foods include ragweed, vetch, sunflower, and grains such as corn and millet from agricultural areas or backyard feeders.
Northern Cardinals supplement their diet heavily with fruit such as dogwood, elderberry, sumac, wild grape, blackberry, and mulberry. They may also eat sugary sap from sapsucker holes in trees. Insects comprise a relatively small portion of their diet, but may be fed to nestlings in greater amounts. Common insects include beetles, cicadas, wasps, ants, grasshoppers and spiders. Cardinals will also feed on tree buds in winter.
Reproduction
The breeding season for Northern Cardinals runs from March to September, with peak activity April-June. The male proclaims its territory and attracts a mate with loud, melodious whistled song patterns.
The female builds a well-concealed, cup-shaped nest out of twigs, leaves, stems, and grasses. Nests are usually placed in a dense shrub or thicket 3-10 feet off the ground. The female lays a clutch of 3-4 eggs and incubates them for 12-13 days. Both parents help feed the young once they hatch. Nestlings fledge after 9-11 days but may remain with parents for up to a month as they learn to forage.
Northern Cardinals are monogamous and mate for life. They may raise 2-3 broods per breeding season. Males feed the incubating female and both parents aggressively defend the nest from predators. Primary threats include cats, snakes, raccoons, and birds of prey. Cardinals in southern parts of range may breed year-round.
Sounds and Displays
The Northern Cardinal is known for its rich, melodious whistle that denotes it as one of North America’s premier songbirds. The male sings its complex songs throughout the year to advertise its territory and attract a mate. Songs are composed of a series of clear, variable whistled notes.
Common vocalizations include a loud “cheeeer!” call and soft chipping notes used for communication between mates and fledglings. Both sexes may engage in crested displays when agitated. Cardinals also use body language such as head bobbing. Their bright colors serve for visual displays.
Conservation Status
The Northern Cardinal has an extremely large range and population size. According to the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern. Population trends are generally increasing, especially in the northern parts of its range where deforestation and backyard feeding provide greater habitat than existed historically. The global population is estimated at over 100 million individuals. Cardinals adapt readily to human landscapes. They face no major widespread threats at present.
Other Notable Cardinalidae Species
While the Northern Cardinal may be the most widespread and familiar member of the Cardinal family, there are numerous other visually striking species found across the Americas:
Pyrrhuloxia
The Pyrrhuloxia is a species of cardinal native to the southwestern US and Mexico. It has a prominent crest and red body plumage like the Northern Cardinal but lacks the black face mask and has a strongly curved bill.
Vermilion Flycatcher
This small songbird breeds in the southwestern US and Mexico. True to its name, the male has vivid scarlet-red plumage. Unlike most cardinals, the Vermilion Flycatcher is highly insectivorous.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak is readily identified by its black, white, and rose-red coloring. It breeds across eastern North America and winters in Central and northern South America.
Various Tanagers
The tanagers comprise about 60 species in the cardinal family. They occur in North, Central, and South America. Many tanager species have extremely colorful plumage, exhibiting vivid red, orange, yellow, blue, black, and green. Well-known tanagers include the Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, and Scarlet Tanager.
Yellow Grosbeak
This large cardinal is found in Mexico and Central America. True to its name, males exhibit overall bright yellow plumage. It prefers subtropical deciduous forests and woodland edges.
The Cardinalidae family contains many stunning songbirds, of which the Northern Cardinal is merely the most ubiquitous backyard representative. Exploring the diversity within this family provides an appreciation for the vivid beauty of new world avifauna.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cardinals
Here are answers to some common questions that people may have about Northern Cardinals and the Cardinal family:
Why are cardinals red?
The bright red coloration of male Northern Cardinals is produced by carotenoid pigments in their feathers. Carotenoids cannot be produced by the bird’s body and must be obtained through their diet. The vibrant red color helps cardinals communicate and attract mates.
Do cardinals mate for life?
Yes, Northern Cardinals typically form monogamous pair bonds and mate for life. A mated pair will stay together as long as both partners survive. If one dies, the other may find a new mate.
How can you tell a male and female cardinal apart?
Males have vivid red plumage, a black face mask, and a pointed crest. Females are pale brown overall with some reddish tinges in the crest, wings, and tail. The female also has a less defined facial mask.
Why do cardinals peck at windows?
Male cardinals peck windows when they mistake their reflection for another rival male in their territory. They are aggressively defending their breeding and nesting territory.
Do cardinals migrate or stay put?
Most Northern Cardinals do not migrate and remain resident year-round. Some in the far northern parts of the range may migrate short distances south for winter.
How long do cardinals live?
The average lifespan of a Northern Cardinal in the wild is 1-2 years. The oldest known wild cardinal was nearly 15 years old. With protection from predators, they may live even longer in captivity.
What time of year do cardinals lay eggs?
The peak breeding season for Northern Cardinals is April to June, but they may raise multiple broods from March through September. In warmer southern climates they can nest year-round.
What do baby cardinals eat?
For the first few days after hatching, nestling cardinals are fed mainly insects and other animal proteins by their parents. As they grow, they are fed an increasing proportion of seeds.
How many eggs does a cardinal lay?
A typical Northern Cardinal clutch contains 3 or 4 eggs. The female incubates the eggs for 12-13 days before they hatch. Both parents help feed the young.
Why do cardinals sing in winter?
Male cardinals begin singing early in the year to establish breeding territories. Singing frequency increases in late winter and early spring as breeding activity ramps up. Singing allows males to attract mates and warn rivals away.
Conclusion
In summary, the beloved Northern Cardinal belongs to the Cardinalidae family of small, seed-eating songbirds found primarily in the Americas. There are 19 cardinal species, but the Northern Cardinal is by far the most widespread and familiar backyard representative, easily recognized by its bright red plumage and crested head. Cardinals are non-migratory birds that mate for life and defend small territories. The male’s rich whistle is one of nature’s most beautiful songs. With increasing habitat provided by deforestation and backyard feeding, Northern Cardinals continue to thrive across much of North America. Their bright coloration and melodious song make them a quintessential songbird representative of the diverse Cardinal family.