What do cardinal babies look like?

Cardinals are a familiar red bird that can be found across North America. While adult cardinals with their bright red plumage are easy to spot, baby cardinals look quite different than their parents. Baby cardinals go through several stages of development before taking on their recognizable red feathers. In this article, we will explore what cardinal babies look like at each stage of growth and development. We will cover their appearance, sounds, behaviors, and how to identify them. Whether you are a bird watcher eager to spot these charming fledglings or simply curious about the early lives of cardinals, read on to learn all about what cardinal babies look like!

Nestling Stage (0 to 8 days old)

Newly hatched cardinal babies are called nestlings. They are completely helpless, naked, and unable to thermoregulate their own body temperature. Their eyes are closed and they have no feathers at all. Their skin is pink and translucent, letting their blood vessels show through. They have a large yellow bump on their beaks called an egg tooth that helps them break out of the eggshell when hatching. Their feet already have tiny claws for clinging to branches. Nestling cardinals weigh just 2 to 5 grams when they first hatch.

Cardinal nestlings spend all their time in the nest and are dependent on their parents for warmth, food, and protection. The female cardinal broods the chicks, sitting on the nest to provide warmth. Both parents take turns feeding the chicks regurgitated insects every 15 to 20 minutes from dawn to dusk. The chicks’ crops (a pouch connected to the esophagus) become noticeably swollen and distended after feedings. Without this constant nourishment, the helpless nestlings would not survive more than a few hours. Their rapid growth is fueled by the high protein diet.

Nestling cardinals do not make much noise. They may let out high-pitched peeps or weak calls to beg for food. They are not yet able to control their body temperature, so the parents must continually brood them to keep them warm and healthy. The nestlings are unable to stand, walk, defend themselves, or leave the nest. Their life consists solely of eating, sleeping, and growing inside the protective nest.

Fledgling Stage (9 to 13 days old)

After 8 or 9 days, cardinal chicks enter the fledgling phase. Their eyes begin to open, showing dark gray irises at first. Their bodies are covered in light gray downy feathers. These feathers trap heat and help regulate body temperature so the parents do not have to brood them as frequently. Fledglings weigh between 14 and 17 grams.

As they grow more alert, fledgling cardinals may poke their heads up begging for food when a parent arrives. They start to look more like fluffy miniature versions of adult cardinals. Their feet and short tails are pinkish, and short fuzzy feathers emerge on their wings. By day 10 or 11, their eyes open fully, revealing dark brown irises. The egg tooth falls off as it is no longer needed.

Fledgling cardinals start becoming more vocal, their cries growing louder and stronger. They may stretch and flap their developing wings inside the crowded nest. Fledglings become increasingly active and curious. Parent cardinals may encourage young ones out of the nest at this point by withholding food to entice the fledglings to follow them out onto branches. Fledglings take short flights by day 12 or 13, though they are very unsteady and lack stamina at first. Both parents continue providing care and feeding the fledglings for several more weeks as they learn to fly competently and forage on their own.

Juvenile Stage (2 to 3 weeks old)

After leaving the nest, cardinal fledglings become independent juvenile birds. They follow their parents closely and beg loudly for food with chipping sounds. Juvenile cardinals have most of their feathers, though some downy fuzz remains on their heads and wings. Their plumage is drab brown and gray with darker brown wings, crest, and tail. The males may show some faded reddish-brown hues around their face and wings. Their short tails still appear pinkish. Their dark eyes and short conical bills resemble an adult cardinal’s profile. They are about half the size of their parents.

Juvenile cardinals need to learn survival skills like flying, finding food, avoiding predators, and more from their parents during this stage. Parent cardinals lead juveniles to good foraging spots and teach them which insects and seeds to eat. The young birds still beg for food and may flutter their wings while giving begging calls. Adults continue to feed the juveniles for 2-3 weeks, gradually weaning them off parental care as the birds learn to fend for themselves.

Immature Stage (1 to 2 months old)

One-month-old cardinal fledglings are considered immatures. Their juvenile feathers are replaced by their first set of true feathers. Male immatures develop some red feathers on their crests, wings, and tails. Their plumage begins taking on the familiar red, black, and brown pattern, though paler and less defined than an adult male’s. Females remain mostly gray-brown but may show tinges of red in their wings and tails.

Immature cardinals have shorter tails and wings than adults. They appear more slender and slightly smaller than fully grown cardinals. Their beaks darken to black or gray-black. Immature cardinals start feeding themselves but may still associate with their parents in small flocks. They practice flying and fluttering their wings often to build up strength. Their vocalizations grow louder and more varied, incorporating adult songs and calls.

Adult Stage (3+ months old)

It takes about 3 months for cardinal fledglings to fully mature and develop their adult plumage. Adult male cardinals are brilliant crimson red with black faces and throats. Their tails lengthen to about 4.3 to 5.1 inches, and their wingspan reaches 8.3 to 9.1 inches. Females have grayish-tan overall plumage with bright red traces in their wings, tails, and crests. They develop orange-red beaks. Adults weigh between 33.5 and 50 grams.

Adult cardinals exhibit territorial behavior and aggression toward intruders in their home ranges. Males sing loudly to mark territory and attract mates. Their song is described as a series of loud, slurred whistling notes. Females also sing though more quietly than males. Cardinals form monogamous pair bonds and remain together throughout the year.

Adults continue caring for their latest brood of fledglings until early fall when the juveniles disperse to establish their own territories. Cardinals can produce up to 4 broods per breeding season from March to September. The bright red males are a common sight at backyard bird feeders year-round. Cardinals have an average lifespan of 1 to 3 years, though the oldest known wild cardinal reached 15 years old. With their fiery plumage and cheerful songs, adult cardinals are iconic songbirds of North America.

How to Identify Cardinal Fledglings

Here are some tips for identifying and observing young cardinals at various stages:

• Listen for loud begging calls to find fledglings chasing their parents for food.
• Search low branches, shrubs, and on the ground where fledglings may be hopping around.
• Look for fluttering wing motions and short tail wags as they beg and try flying.
• Notice fuzzy downy heads, pink bills, and developing crests on young cardinals under 2 weeks old.
• Watch for clumsy, short flights between branches as they build flying skills.
• Observe fledglings’ brownish plumage with some traces of red rather than solid bright red.
• Compare body and tail size – juveniles are noticeably smaller than adults.
• Notice begging behaviors like wing fluttering and chipping vocalizations for food.

Spotting elusive cardinal fledglings takes patience and careful watching. Focus your attention low to the ground and watch for movement in the underbrush. Listen for high-pitched calls and begging sounds. With some luck and the right habitat, you may be rewarded with the charming sight of young cardinals learning to navigate the world outside their nest.

Conclusion

From naked and helpless hatchlings to fully feathered and independent adults, cardinal babies undergo incredible growth and change in their first summer of life. Their appearance, sounds, behaviors, and needs evolve rapidly as they transition through the nestling, fledgling, juvenile, and immature stages on their way to adulthood. While adult cardinals sport trademark red plumage, babies are camouflaged in gray and brown feathers that help them safely develop and learn critical survival skills under their parents’ watchful care. Keep an eye and ear out near backyard feeders or forest edges to spot these endearing baby birds as they prepare for the adventures of adulthood. With a little luck, you may get to watch the remarkable transformation of a cardinal fledgling.