Northern Cardinal (Female and Male) Identification With Facts

The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a medium-sized songbird with a stout bill and a prominent crest. It is one of the most popular and recognizable birds in North America, thanks to its bright red color, cheerful song, and year-round presence. The northern cardinal can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests and fields to gardens and parks. It is also the official state bird of seven states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. In this post, I will explore some of the features that can help you identify the northern cardinal, such as its size, shape, color, behavior, and habitat.

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Size and Shape

The northern cardinal is about 8.3 inches (21 cm) long, with a wingspan of 9.8-12.2 inches (25-31 cm) and a weight of 1.5-1.7 ounces (42-48 g). It has a compact body, a long tail, and a relatively large head. The head is peaked at the rear, giving it a triangular shape when viewed from the side. The bill is short, thick, and cone-shaped, adapted for cracking seeds and nuts. The legs are short and strong, and the feet have four toes, three pointing forward and one backward.

Color Pattern

The northern cardinal has a striking plumage that varies depending on the sex and season. The male northern cardinal is mostly bright red, with a black mask around the eyes and bill, and a red crest on the top of the head. The female northern cardinal is mostly brown, with reddish tinges on the wings, tail, and crest. She also has a black mask, but it is smaller and less conspicuous than the male’s. Both sexes have a white patch on the throat, and a white or grayish band on the tip of the tail. The bill is orange or red, and the eye is dark brown.

The northern cardinal undergoes a partial molt twice a year, in late summer and late winter. During the molt, the feathers may appear duller or more worn, and the crest may be less prominent. The male northern cardinal may also lose some of the black pigment in his mask, making it look gray or brown. The female northern cardinal may also gain some red pigment in her plumage, making her look more like the male.

Behavior and Habitat

The northern cardinal is a territorial and social bird, that defends its nesting area with loud and frequent songs. The male northern cardinal sings to attract a mate, to announce his presence, and to warn off intruders. The female northern cardinal also sings, but less often and more softly than the male. The northern cardinal usually forms a monogamous pair, that stays together throughout the year. The pair may join a flock of other cardinals in the winter, to forage and roost together.

The northern cardinal is a generalist feeder, that eats a variety of seeds, fruits, insects, and other animal matter. It forages mostly on the ground or in low vegetation, but sometimes higher in trees. It readily comes to bird feeders, where it prefers sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and cracked corn. It may also visit birdbaths and water sources, to drink and bathe. You may also want to read about Common Spiders in California

The northern cardinal breeds in a wide range of habitats, from forests and woodlands to shrublands and grasslands. It prefers areas with dense vegetation and open spaces, such as forest edges, thickets, hedgerows, and gardens. It nests in a well-hidden spot, usually 3-10 feet (1-3 m) above the ground, in a shrub, vine, or low tree. The nest is a cup-shaped structure, made of twigs, grasses, leaves, bark, and other plant materials, lined with fine grasses, rootlets, and hair. The female lays 3-4 eggs, which are whitish to pale bluish or greenish, marked with brown, purple, and gray. The female incubates the eggs for about 12-13 days, while the male feeds her and guards the nest. The chicks hatch naked and helpless, and are fed by both parents. They leave the nest after about 9-11 days, but remain dependent on the parents for another 3-4 weeks. The northern cardinal may raise 2-3 broods per year.

The northern cardinal is a resident bird, that does not migrate. It is found throughout the eastern and central United States, southern Canada, Mexico, and parts of Central America. It has also been introduced to Hawaii, California, and Bermuda. It is adaptable to human-altered environments, and has expanded its range northward and westward in recent decades. It is one of the most common and widespread birds in North America, with an estimated population of 120 million individuals.

How to Identify the Northern Cardinal?

The northern cardinal is easy to identify by its size, shape, color, behavior, and habitat. Here are some tips to help you recognize this bird:

• Look for the bright red color, the black mask, and the red crest of the male northern cardinal. These features are unique to this species among the North American birds. The female northern cardinal is more brown, but she also has a black mask and a red crest.
• Look for the short, thick, and cone-shaped bill of the northern cardinal. This bill is different from the long and thin bills of the finches, the long and curved bills of the grosbeaks, and the long and pointed bills of the tanagers. The bill is also orange or red, unlike the black or yellow bills of some other red birds.

• Look for the white patch on the throat and the white or grayish band on the tip of the tail of the northern cardinal. These markings are distinctive and help to separate the northern cardinal from the similar-looking pyrrhuloxia, which has a gray throat and a red band on the tail. The pyrrhuloxia is also more gray than red, and has a yellow bill.
• Listen for the loud and varied songs of the northern cardinal. The male northern cardinal sings a series of clear whistles, often ending in a downward slur. The song may sound like “cheer, cheer, cheer” or “purdy, purdy, purdy” or “what-cheer, what-cheer”.
• The female northern cardinal sings a softer and shorter version of the male’s song. The northern cardinal also makes various calls, such as a sharp “chip” or a metallic “tik” or a low “chew” or a soft “wheet”.
• Observe the behavior and habitat of the northern cardinal. The northern cardinal is a territorial and social bird, that sings frequently and defends its nesting area. It is often seen in pairs or small flocks, especially in the winter. It forages mostly on the ground or in low vegetation, but sometimes higher in trees.
• It readily comes to bird feeders, where it prefers sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and cracked corn. It breeds in a wide range of habitats, from forests and woodlands to shrublands and grasslands. It prefers areas with dense vegetation and open spaces, such as forest edges, thickets, hedgerows, and gardens.
• It is a resident bird, that does not migrate. It is found throughout the eastern and central United States, southern Canada, Mexico, and parts of Central America.

FAQ’s About Northern Cardinal

Q1: How do you identify a cardinal?

One way to identify a cardinal is by its size, shape, color, and behavior. A cardinal is a medium-sized songbird with a stout bill and a prominent crest on its head. The male cardinal is mostly bright red, with a black mask around the eyes and bill, and a red crest. The female cardinal is mostly brown, with reddish tinges on the wings, tail, and crest. She also has a black mask, but it is smaller and less conspicuous than the male’s.

Q2: What are the characteristics of a cardinal?

Some possible characteristics of a cardinal are:

• Cardinals have waterproof feathers that keep them dry and warm. They have a special gland near the tail that produces oil, which they spread over their feathers with their bill. This oil helps repel water and dirt.
• Cardinals have a unique system of blood vessels in their feet that keeps them warm in icy water. The blood vessels in the legs and feet are arranged in a way that allows the warm blood from the body to heat up the cold blood from the feet, and vice versa. This prevents heat loss and frostbite.
• Cardinals have a wide range of vocalizations, from quacks to whistles to grunts. Some cardinals have distinctive calls, such as the male northern cardinal’s quack, the wood duck’s squeal, and the merganser’s croak. Some cardinals also have regional accents, meaning that they sound different depending on where they live.
• Cardinals have great vision and can see in color. They have eyes on the sides of their heads, which gives them a wide field of view. They can also see ultraviolet light, which helps them find food and mates.
• Cardinals can sleep with one eye open and half of their brain awake. This allows them to be alert for predators and threats, while still resting. They can switch between the left and right sides of their brain, depending on which eye they want to keep open.

Q3: What is the common name for the Northern Cardinal?

The common name for the Northern Cardinal is cardinal, redbird, common cardinal, or red cardinal. It is also known by its scientific name, Cardinalis cardinalis.

Q4: What does the Northern Cardinal symbolize?

The Northern Cardinal can symbolize different things to different people and cultures. Some possible meanings are:

• A visit or a message from a deceased loved one, reminding a person that they are not alone.
• Balance, devotion, endurance, self-confidence, and holiday cheer.
• Good luck, good omen, or a sign of rain in some Native American cultures.
• Spiritual strength, renewal, and resilience in some Native American cultures.
• The daughter of the sun, the weather predictor, and the eye opener in Cherokee mythology.

Q5: What is the rule of a cardinal?

There are different ways to interpret the rule of a cardinal, depending on the context. Here are some possible meanings:

• A cardinal rule is a fundamental rule, upon which other matters hinge. For example, a cardinal rule of writing is to know your audience.
• A cardinal number is a number that indicates how many elements are in a set. For example, the cardinal number of the set {1, 2, 3} is 3.
• A cardinal is a high-ranking official of the Roman Catholic Church, who wears red robes and caps. The rule of a cardinal is to advise the pope and elect his successor.

Wrapping Up…

The northern cardinal is a medium-sized songbird with a stout bill and a prominent crest. It is one of the most popular and recognizable birds in North America, thanks to its bright red color, cheerful song, and year-round presence. The northern cardinal can be identified by its size, shape, color, behavior, and habitat. It can be distinguished from other similar species, such as the pyrrhuloxia, the finches, the grosbeaks, and the tanagers. It is a widespread bird, that inhabits a variety of habitats, from forests and fields to gardens and parks. To learn more about Northern Cardinal Limited, you can visit the official Companies House page for detailed information.