cardinals

1. BIRD NAME
English Name: Cardinal
Latin Name: Cardinalis cardinalis

2. APPEARANCE
Cardinals, also known as Northern Cardinals, are among the most recognizable bird species due to their vibrant red coloration. The male Cardinals exhibit a radiant hue of crimson, complete with a black patch (mask) encasing their eyes and throat. In contrast, female Cardinals sport a softly toned combination of gentle red-brown with patches of rosy red on their wings, crest, and tail. Both genders have distinct crests on their heads and stout, conical reddish-orange to black bills ideal for seed cracking. Cardinal’s eyes are dark and expressive.

3. SIZE
Cardinals are medium-sized songbirds ranging in length from about 21 to 23 centimeters (8.3 to 9.1 inches). They exhibit a sizable wingspan of around 30.5 centimeters (12 inches). Cardinals typically weigh between 33 and 65 grams (1.2 to 2.3 ounces).

4. HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION
Cardinals can be found across Eastern and Central North America, from Southern Canada through to the Eastern United States and Mexico. They have been introduced in other regions such as California and Hawaii and are known to reside in habitats like woodland edges, thickets, gardens, shrublands, and swampy areas.

5. INTERESTING FACTS
Interestingly, Cardinals are non-migratory birds. They stay within their breeding territory year-round. Cardinals are known to occasionally indulge in an unusual behavior called anting, which involves rubbing ants on their feathers possibly to remove parasites or to get insecticidal and antifungal benefits. They are popular in human culture and are the state bird of seven US states.

6. DIET
Cardinals feed primarily on a diet of seeds, fruits, berries, and insects. This includes sunflower seeds, corn, grass seeds, and the seeds of weeds and grains. They forage on the ground and in trees and shrubs.

7. BEHAVIOR & SOUNDS
The male Cardinal is known to be a passionate singer. It marks its territory through its vocal displays, which can carry on throughout the year. Cardinals are monogamous, often pairing for life. During courtship, the male may indulge in a cute display of feeding seeds to the female beak-to-beak. Their sounds are a combination of sharp, clear whistles, often described as “cheer, cheer, cheer” or “birdie, birdie, birdie.”

8. CONSERVATION STATUS
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Cardinal is of “Least Concern” because of its extensive range and stable population.

9. LIFESPAN
Northern Cardinals have a lifespan of up to 15 years in the wild and up to 28 years in captivity.

10. ADDITIONAL NOTES
Cardinals are also known as “redbirds” in many languages due to their vibrant coloration. Because of their popularity, they are often used to attract tourism and birdwatchers. They play an important role in ecosystems as seed dispersers and pest controllers, making them ideal for any garden ecosystem.