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.
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 athough 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, rootlets, lined
with fine grass or hair.
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.
Least concern.