Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) - Bright Bird in the Bush
Did you Know?
Cardinals were so named because their colour reminded early explorers of the scarlet robes of the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church. The oldest recorded Northern Cardinal was 15 years and 9 months old. When the males are showing courtship, they exhibit affection towards the females by feeding her beak-to-beak. This act looks like the two birds are kissing.
Photo: Brian Popelier 2013
Habitat – Backyards, parks, woodlots, hedgerows, thickets and shrubby forest edges. Nest in dense shrubby areas.
Size – These birds average between 21-23cm in length, with a 25-31cm wingspan. They weigh approximately 42-48 grams.
Range –Unlike many of Ontario’s birds, the Northern Cardinal does not migrate. They can be seen from southeastern Canada, through to the eastern United States, south to Mexico.
Status – S5 - The populations of this magnificent bird are continually increasing and not at risk.
Diet – The Northern Cardinal is hungry for seeds, fruits and some insects. They look for wild grape, grasses, mulberry, sumac, flies, crickets and any bird feeder seed.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]
Identification:
Although both stunning, the male and female are both distinct from each other. They both have a large and prominent chest that makes them look rounded, with a thick coned shaped beak and long pointed tail. Further, they both have a pointed cap on the tops of their head. The male cardinals covered in brilliant red feathers, with a red beak and a dark black face resembling a mask. In contrast, the females are pale coloured with beautiful tinges of red in her wings, tail and crest. The females are smaller in size when compared to the male. Both the male and female Northern Cardinal sing and call. The song is a loud string of two- parted syllables. They typically last two or three seconds, and can resemble the syllables of “cheer, cheer, cheer” or “birdie, birdie, birdie”. A common call from the male is a loud, metallic chip that protects their territory from predators or intruders, or when the opposite sex brings them food.
Photo: Brian Popelier 2014
Interesting Facts
The male Northern Cardinal will fiercely defend its breeding territory from other males. If a male sees its reflection through glass, it will deliberately attack and fight its own image.
When the female sings from her nest, she is calling for her mate to bring more food to her and/or her babies.
The male brings nesting material to the female so she can build their nest. The nest consists of four layers; coarse twigs as the outer layer, a leafy matt topped with grapevine bark, then finally soft grasses, stems, and sometimes pine needles.
Female cardinals raise two broods per year, one in March and the other in late May to Early July. The incubation period lasts about two weeks.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]
The Northern Cardinal on the Niagara Escarpment
The Bruce Trail Conservancy is continually acquiring and protecting land along the Niagara Escarpment, including thick forested areas which provide a perfect habitat for the Northern Cardinal. You will be able to spot the cardinal all year round throughout most of the Bruce Trail and Niagara Escarpment. If looking for this bird, be still and quiet because they will fly away if you’re sensed.
To attract this beautiful bird to your backyard, try planting native shrubs and wildflowers to your garden. Some may include Chokecherries, Serviceberries, Dogwoods and Hackberry. Backyard bird feeders are also a great way to welcome this bright bird to your home.
Photo: Brian Popelier 2014
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]