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Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
Size: 8-9" (20-22.5 cm)
Female: buff brown bird with tinges of red on crest and wings, a black mask and large red bill
Male: red bird with a black mask extending from face down to chin and throat, large red bill and crest
Juvenile: same as female, but with a blackish gray bill
Nest: cup; female builds; 2-3 broods per year
Eggs: 3-4; bluish white with brown markings
Incubation: 12-13 days; female and male incubate
Fledging: 9-10 days; female and male feed young
Migration: non-migrator
Food: seeds, insects, fruit; comes to seed feeders
Compare: Cedar Waxwing (pg. 133) has a small dark bill. Female Cardinal appears similar to juvenile Cardinal. Look for female’s bright red bill.
Stan’s Notes: A familiar backyard bird. Look for male feeding female during courtship. Male feeds young of first brood by himself while female builds a second nest. Their name comes from the Latin word cardinalis, which means “important.” Very territorial during spring, it will fight its own reflection in a window. Non-territorial in winter, they gather in small flocks of up to 20 birds. Both male and female sing and can be heard any time of year. Listen for their “whata-cheer-cheer-cheer” territorial call in spring.
