Appearance
The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a familiar backyard bird with a prominent crest and a thick, cone-shaped bill.
Males are bright red with a black face surrounding the bill. Females are mostly warm brown, with reddish coloring on the wings, tail, and crest.
Song and Pair Bonds
Both male and female Northern Cardinals sing. A pair may share song phrases, and females sometimes sing while sitting on the nest.
Pairs can remain together through winter and into another breeding season, although some change partners.
Nesting and Family Life
Cardinals often place their nests in dense shrubs, small trees, or vine tangles. The female does most of the nest building, using materials such as twigs, bark, grasses, and other plant fibers.
The male brings food to the incubating female. Both parents feed the young, and the male may continue caring for fledglings while the female begins another nesting attempt.
Food
Northern Cardinals eat seeds, fruit, and insects. Young birds receive a diet rich in insects. At feeders, cardinals readily eat black oil sunflower seeds.
Listen to the Northern Cardinal
Select Play to hear the Northern Cardinal recording.