Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis
|
One of the most popular birds in Wisconsin, the Northern Cardinal is abundant and it now brightens
winter days with its color and its whistled song.
|
The cardinal’s song means spring is coming! You might hear a northern cardinal when you’re out shoveling
snow or refilling a bird feeder. Since mid-January, adult cardinals have begun trying out their songs. Last year’s
young are learning and practicing theirs as they hear and imitate the adult cardinals around them. Both male
and female cardinals sing.
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
|
Lifespan
|
3 years
|
Weight
|
1.58 ounces
|
Length
|
8.3 – 9.3 inches
|
Color
|
Male: brilliant red
Female: pale brown
with reddish tinges
|
Sexual Maturity
|
1 year
|
Number of Broods
|
2 -3 broods
|
Gestation Period
|
9 - 11 days
|
Clutch Size
|
2 - 5 chicks
|
Adult Predators
|
Hawks, squirrels,
owls, snakes, blue
jays, and dogs
|
Mostly seeds, insects, berries although it diet is quite varied. Feeds on many insects, including beetles, true bugs,
grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, flies, and many others, also spiders, centipedes, and snails. Most of diet is
vegetable matter, including seeds of weeds and grasses, waste grain, leaf buds, flowers, and many berries
and wild fruits. Young are fed mostly insects.
Forages mostly while hopping on ground or in low bushes, sometimes higher in trees. Readily comes to bird
feeders, where it favors sunflower seeds.
Usually well hidden in dense shrubs, vines, or low trees, placed 3-10 feet above ground, sometimes higher.
Nest which is built by the female is open cup made of twigs, weeds, grass, bark strips, leaves and rootlets
lined with fine grass or hair.
The female northern cardinal is the primary builder. Her male counterpart helps by finding and bringing her
nest-building materials. He may occasionally assist with construction, too. Because the female cardinal is
busy building, the male also keeps an eye out for predators, such as hawks and squirrels.
The female cardinal uses her beak to crush and soften the twigs. That makes them more flexible and easier
to bend into shape. To create a warm interior for future fledglings, she lines it with leaves, grass, pine needles
and hair or fur. Then she turns around inside the nest and stamps her feet to get that distinctive cup shape.
Male cardinals, with red body feathers as opposed to the tan body feathers of females, have been known
to show courtship behaviors, like turning and twisting their bodies while a female cardinal is present.
Northern cardinals are monogamous - one male mates with one female. However, they often choose a
different mate each breeding season.
Northern cardinals begin forming breeding pairs in early spring. The male tries to attract a mate by
performing courtship displays that show off his crest and his bright red feathers. He will raise his crest
and sway side to side while singing softly. Once he finds a female that may be interested, the male feeds
the female to show that he would make a good provider for young cardinals.
Both parents feed nestlings. Young leave nest about 9-11 days after hatching. Male may feed fledglings
while female begins next nesting attempt. Norther cardinals have 2-3 broods per year, rarely 4.
As baby cardinals move through the development stage they’re referred to as hatchlings, nestlings, fledglings, juveniles, and finally adults.
Cardinal Development
|
Hatchling
|
0 – 3 days old. Naked and pink with grayish scaling, sparse bits of gray down,
eyes closed. Completely dependent on parents.
|
Nestling
|
3 – 13 days old. Some feathers on the wings, eyes are open, still dependent on parents.
|
Fledgling
|
Leaves the nest after 7-13 days. Has all its feathers. Has left the nest at least once, is
learning to fly, and hops around very well. The male cardinal typically cares for fledglings
but the female also helps.
|
Juvenile
|
Once the bird is able to gather food on its own but retains juvenile plumage.
|
Adult
|
1st fall after hatching. Juvenile feathers have molted and adult feathers have grown in.
|
Least concern.