Northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) are songbirds native to North America known for their distinctive red plumage and melodious songs. The northern cardinal is the state bird of seven U.S. states and is easily recognizable by bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. But what exactly do northern cardinals sound like? Here’s a closer look at the various vocalizations of this beautiful backyard bird.
The northern cardinal is one of the most vocal birds found across eastern North America. Cardinals have a wide repertoire of chips, chirps, whistles, and songs they use to communicate. Northern cardinals are able to sing year-round, but are most vocal during the breeding and nesting seasons from late winter through summer.
The northern cardinal has up to 35 different vocalizations for various interactions. Their songs and calls can convey different meanings depending on the context. Some communicate aggression while others are used to identify mates and offspring. The wide array of sounds northern cardinals make are a core part of their complex social interactions.
Songs
The song of the northern cardinal is a loud, melodious whistle comprised of multiple phrases. It is the most recognizable vocalization of the northern cardinal. Only male cardinals sing, and they do so throughout the year to mark their territory and attract mates.
Cardinal songs have been described as loud, repetitive, variable, and enthusiastic. The song often starts with a few single introductory notes followed by a melodic phrase that is repeated several times. Then the cardinal switches to another phrase type, often changing tempo or pitch. This pattern repeats, creating a song made up of multiple segments.
Here are some descriptions of common components of the northern cardinal song:
- Loud, clear whistles – “cheer cheer cheer”
- Rapid trills – “birdy birdy birdy”
- Buzzing – “zhreeeeeee”
- Short chips – “chip chip chip”
- Whistled notes – “hello, hellooo”
While regional dialects exist, the songs of northern cardinals follow this general pattern across their range. The variety of whistles, buzzes, and trills form a complex and melodious song that brightens many backyards.
Calls
In addition to formal songs, northern cardinals have an array of calls used for communicating different needs. Here are some of the common calls frequently made by these songbirds:
Chips
Northern cardinals make short, clicking “chip” notes to stay in contact with their mate or offspring and notify others of their presence. These chips come in monotone, rising, or falling pitch variants. Chip calls are made year-round.
Flight calls
In flight, northern cardinals give a distinctive metallic “tick” as they flap between perches. This helps keep groups together while moving through the habitat.
Alarm calls
When alerted to danger from predators like cats or hawks, cardinals give loud, rapidly repeated single note calls. This functions to notify others in the vicinity of the threat.
Fledgling begging calls
Young northern cardinals just out of the nest give loud, whistled twee calls to signal their parents that they are hungry. The tone becomes more intense and frantic the hungrier the babies become.
Courtship feeding calls
Female northern cardinals make soft, clicking “tut” sounds to encourage the male to feed them during courtship. This strengthens the bond between the mated pair.
By listening for context clues like time of year and behavior, experienced birders can determine the meaning behind cardinal vocalizations. Their diverse calls allow for complex communication vital to their daily survival.
Conclusion
The northern cardinal is one of the most easily identifiable and melodious backyard birds in North America. The male’s loud, whistled songs can be heard in woods, suburbs, and city parks during all seasons. Both males and females also utilize an array of chips, chirps, and calls to interact with each other, locate their young, and warn of predators.
The wide repertoire of northern cardinal vocalizations allows them to communicate important information related to their territory, social relations, and environment. The next time you hear the whistle of the northern cardinal, listen closely to see if they follow up with chips, trills, or buzzes. Paying close attention to their sounds will give you a deeper appreciation for the language of our beloved red backyard bird.
| Vocalization Type | Description | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Song | Loud, melodic whistles comprised of multiple phrases | Territory defense, mate attraction |
| Chips | Short clicking notes, monotone to rising/falling pitch | Staying in contact, announcing presence |
| Flight calls | Metallic “tick” sounds | Keeping groups together in flight |
| Alarm calls | Loud, rapidly repeated single notes | Warning others of threats |
| Fledgling begging calls | Loud, whistled “twee” notes | Signaling parents for food |
| Courtship feeding calls | Soft clicking “tut” sounds | Encouraging male to provide food |
This table summarizes the main vocalization types, descriptions, and functions of northern cardinal calls and songs described in the article.
Related Questions
Where are northern cardinals found?
The northern cardinal is found across eastern North America from southern Canada south through the eastern United States to the Gulf Coast and northern Mexico. Its range stretches west to the Dakotas and parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
What is the state bird of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia?
The northern cardinal is the official state bird of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Why are male northern cardinals red and females brown?
Male northern cardinals get their bright red plumage from carotenoid pigments obtained through their diet. Females have brown feathers for more camouflage while nesting. The different coloration helps the sexes safely fulfill their roles in breeding.
How can I attract northern cardinals to my yard?
You can attract northern cardinals by planting native shrubs and trees that provide seeds, berries, cover, and nesting sites. Providing a source of fresh water like a bird bath also appeals to cardinals. Black oil sunflower seeds are a favorite food that will draw them to feeders.
Do northern cardinals migrate?
Northern cardinals are non-migratory birds and do not make seasonal movements. They establish year-round territories where they breed, nest, and take shelter. Some young birds may disperse farther distances of a few hundred miles from where they were hatched.
What time of day are cardinals most active?
Northern cardinals are most active during the first few hours after sunrise and the last few hours before sunset. This is when they are busiest singing, foraging, and defending territories. They retreat to thick cover to rest during the middle of the day.
What eats northern cardinals?
Predators of adult northern cardinals include Cooper’s hawks, eastern screech-owls, and domestic cats. Eggs and nestlings may be preyed upon by snakes, blue jays, squirrels, raccoons, and chipmunks. Cardinals are frequently on alert for threats from the many animals that find them appetizing.
Scientific Classification
The northern cardinal is scientifically classified as:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Cardinalidae
- Genus: Cardinalis
- Species: Cardinalis cardinalis
This places the northern cardinal in the family Cardinalidae, which includes other seed-eating songbirds like grosbeaks and buntings. The genus Cardinalis contains just two species – the northern cardinal and the desert-dwelling pyrrhuloxia of the American southwest.
Conclusion
With their bright plumage and melodious songs, northern cardinals are a backyard favorite across much of eastern North America. The diversity of whistles, chips, trills, and buzzes in their vocal repertoire allows for complex communication and social behavior. Understanding the context behind cardinal sounds provides insight into the lives of these beautiful songbirds.
The next time you have a cardinal visiting your yard, take a moment to appreciate the variety of songs and calls it uses to sing for its mate, warn of predators, locate its young, and defend its territory. The sounds of the northern cardinal are a sign that your yard provides the food, shelter, and safety this beloved bird needs to thrive.
