Of all the bird species in the United States, Northern Cardinals, a.k.a. Cardinals, are some of the most loved. Besides being residents of the US, they can also be found in parts of Mexico and Canada. Cardinals are so charming and popular, they often appear in art and holiday decorations. But how familiar are you with the Northern Cardinals? So if you want to know interesting information about them, go ahead and read the article and start discovering!
Northern Cardinals are named for the bright-red plumage resembling the scarlet robes worn by the Cardinals of the Catholic Church of the Roman Catholic religion.
A pigment called carotenoid is the reason for the cardinal’s reddish wings. They eat dogwood berries, grapes and tons of other berries, and this pigment is plentiful in their diet.
Not all cardinals sport this iconic red color. In males, the need to lure the female emits red across their bodies. In comparison, females look much plainer, typically sporting brown feathers accented with touches of red.
For female cardinals, their muted plumage is actually a survival strategy that helps them escape potential predators. Female cardinals become masters of camouflage with their earth-toned feathers, which helps them keep their bones in one piece and their babies free from the predatory eyes of would-be raiders.
Most cardinals follow the traditional red/brown color palette, but every blue moon or so, nature gives us glimpse of a rare and beautiful sight a yellow cardinal. The odds of seeing something so spectacular are thought to bee one in a million. Possible reasons are that: 1. A genetic plumage variation called xanthochroism interrupts the synthesis of a particular enzyme involved in changing yellow pigments into those bright red colors that are associated with cardinals; 2. The muted coloration in cardinals may also be attributed to environmental conditions. Because if cardinals get sick or stressed, their feathers start to fade.
Cardinals are a prime example of family-oriented birds, putting tremendous effort into building nest, raising, and protecting their young. Males and females cooperate, both feeding and caring for fledglings. Males dedicate themselves to collecting nesting materials and females build the nest during the nesting season. Cardinals also have incredibly devoted males, who defend their mates and offspring against perceived threats.
female cardinals
Also, cardinals are monogamous, with many reports claiming that they are monogamous “for life.” Male cardinals exhibit a behavior similar to kissing to humans in an act of showing care for their partners—feeding their wives. This nuturing of their loved ones is similar to a common behavior of ours.
You also might not know that these red beauties have exceptional vocal abilities! While in most songbirds only males sing, both male and female cardinals can carry a tune. They are especially known as an avian songbird with more than 100 songs in their repertoire all year long. The males have sweet songs, which they use to court their females during breeding. Conversely, females utilize their songs to express what they want, such as asking for food during the nesting season or telling potential trespassers to go away.
a cardinal on high level
Male cardinals like to sing from the tops of things, so they are often easy to see — just look up when you hear that lovely song. They tend to sing at dawn and in the early part of the day.
Cardinals are very territorial and aggressive in their space. They are among the feistiest of birds, frequently getting into violent tiffs with competitors and squaring off against their own reflections in windows and mirrors. You can’t argue not on the cuteness of their behavior. That puts them in another category of endearing; cardinals raise their crest if they feel angry, a sharp tink-tink-tink call. If their crest dips suddenly, it means they’re about to dive-bomb their competitors.
male cardinals
Exactly, but there is a serious issue we need to deal with. A lot of birds are injured as a result of crashing into windows and mirrors. This is a problem that we need to be concerned about and throwing things such as stickers or bird tape on these surfaces can reduce the chance of such accidents.
Cardinals do not migrate like most other birds, but instead are year-round residents of single regions. And their powerful nostalgia instinct tucks them up close to their birthplace, so they’re not going long distances during fall or spring.
Many native American tribes view cardinals as messengers of love, hope, and good fortune. It is believed that seeing a cardinal is a sign that our loved ones in Heaven are near, and a reassuring reminder that they are watching over us.
A Familiar Faces in Familiar Places The Northern Cardinal is a state bird in seven states — Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. It was first chosen as a state bird in Kentucky in 1926. On top of all that, this charming bird is also the mascot of a number of professional sports teams in the US.
Cardinals are common patrons of bird feeders. Fill their feeders with their favorite foods — sunflower and safflower seeds, peanuts, cracked corn and fruit — to entice them. Berries bushes are also a great way to attract them into your garden. Remember that they are usually here in the early morning or near dawn, so make sure to fill your feeders when they are due.
cardinals and bird feeders
Once considered pets in the 1800s, today cardinals are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), which makes it illegal to fuck with their capture, sale and even the sale of their feathers. Their colorful feathers and strong family ties never fail to intrigue us, and these amazing birds continue to hold our attention. May you always remember the magic they bring to our world as you enjoy these iconic beauties on your garden.
