Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis

The northern cardinal is a small, red songbird that lives in gardens, backyards and wooded areas throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

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A male northern cardinal perches in a tree in the late winter, with bits of ice and snow visible as well as buds starting to grow on the branch.
A male northern cardinal visits a red maple tree on March 3, 2014. (Photo by Steve Droter/Chesapeake Bay Program)

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Appearance

Cardinals grow to 7 to 9 inches in length with a long tail. They have a distinctive tall, sharp crest of feathers on top of their head and an orange, cone-shaped beak. Males are brilliant red with a black face, while females are brownish-gray with a reddish crest, wings and tail.

Feeding

Cardinals eat seeds, insects and small fruits. Their cone-shaped bill allows them to easily crack open seeds. They will often eat grains from backyard bird feeders.

Predators

Hawks, squirrels, owls, snakes, blue jays, and domestic dogs and cats prey upon cardinals.

Flight

Males are easily identified in flight by their brilliant red color.

Voice

Both males and females sing, and are known for their what-cheer, cheer, cheer; purty-purty-purty-purty or sweet-sweet-sweet-sweet calls. Calls can vary depending on geography.

Reproduction and life cycle

Pairs, which are monogamous, breed in March and again in May-July. They begin by establishing a breeding territory and exchanging songs. Females build a small, cup-shaped nest in a dense shrub, small tree or tangle of vines. They lay 3-4 eggs, usually two times per year. While the female incubates the eggs for about two weeks, the male aggressively guards the nest. Cardinals defend their territory so well that they will attack their own reflection in windows, mirrors and other shiny surfaces.

Newly hatched cardinal young are extremely immature and vulnerable: they cannot move, their eyes are closed and they have no down. They require intense care from both parents for about 10 days after hatching. After that time, they are able to leave the nest. As young male cardinals develop their brilliant red color, the male parent usually expels them from the nest.

Did you know?

  • Cardinals are the state bird of the watershed states of Virginia and West Virginia, as well as of many states outside the watershed.
  • These birds are named after Catholic cardinals, who wear bright red robes.

Sources and additional information

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