The Northern Cardinal is the most recognisable backyard bird in eastern North America. Bright red males, brown females that also sing, a distinctive crest, and a clear whistled song that sounds like “cheer-cheer-cheer.” It is the state bird of seven US states - more than any other species.
Quick Facts
Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis Length: 21-23cm Wingspan: 25-31cm Weight: 33-65g Lifespan: 3-15 years (wild) Diet: Seeds, fruits, insects Habitat: Forest edges, parks, gardens, hedgerows Migration: Non-migratory - stays year-round
Range
| Region | Status |
|---|---|
| Eastern US | Common year-round resident |
| Central US | Common year-round resident |
| Southeastern Canada | Year-round, range expanding northward |
| Mexico and Central America | Native populations |
| Southern Arizona and New Mexico | Native populations |
| Hawaii | Introduced |
| Southern California | Introduced |
| Bermuda | Introduced |
The Northern Cardinal’s range has been expanding northward over the past century, partly due to warmer winters and partly due to bird feeders providing reliable winter food.
Male vs Female
| Feature | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Bright red all over | Warm brown with red accents |
| Face mask | Bold black | Faint grey |
| Song | Loud, frequent | Also sings - rarer among songbirds |
| Role | Territory defence, feeding mate and chicks | Nest building, incubation, feeding chicks |
Diet
| Food | Season |
|---|---|
| Seeds (sunflower, safflower, thistle) | Year-round, especially winter |
| Fruits and berries (dogwood, sumac, grape) | Autumn and winter |
| Insects (beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers) | Spring and summer, essential for feeding chicks |
Cardinals have a strong conical bill built for cracking seeds. They are ground feeders that prefer hopper and platform feeders over hanging tubes.
Breeding
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Pairing | Monogamous, often mate for life |
| Nest | Female builds cup nest in dense shrubs, 1-3m high |
| Eggs | 2-5 per clutch, pale greenish with brown spots |
| Incubation | 11-13 days, female incubates |
| Fledging | 9-11 days in nest |
| Broods | 2-3 per year |
| Male role | Feeds female during incubation, feeds fledglings |
State Bird Status
The Northern Cardinal is the official state bird of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Threats
| Threat | Impact |
|---|---|
| Domestic cats | Number one predator of garden cardinals |
| Window strikes | Males attack reflections; collisions kill millions of birds annually |
| Pesticides | Reduce insect food supply |
| Habitat loss | Urban development removes nesting shrubs |
| Disease | Salmonella from dirty feeders |
How to Attract Cardinals
- Black oil sunflower seeds in a hopper feeder
- Dense shrubs for nesting cover (holly, juniper, privet)
- Birdbath with fresh water year-round
- Fill feeders before dawn - cardinals are early risers
- Keep cats indoors
The Northern Cardinal is one of the few songbirds where both sexes sing. Non-migratory, monogamous, and found in seven states as the official bird. Put out sunflower seeds near dense shrubs with a birdbath, and you will have cardinals visiting every day of the year.
