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Wild Birds

Northern Cardinal

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Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis

Description:

Size: 8 to 9 inches (21-23 cm)
Wingspan: 10 to 12 inches (25-31 cm)
Weight: 1.48 to 1.69 ounces (42-48 g)

This is a medium sized songbird. It has a crest on its head, a heavy, conical red bill and a face that is surrounded by black.

Diet:

The Northern Cardinal eats seeds, fruits, buds and insects. Can be attracted to bird feeders with sunflower seeds and safflower seeds. Is more likely to feed from platform feeders and hopper feeders. Usually seen at feeders at dawn and at dusk.

Sex Differences:

The male Northern Cardinal is bright red with black around the base of its reddish bill. The female is grayish tan with reddish wings, tail and crest. The face of both the male and female is black at the base of the reddish bill.

Nesting:

Nests are usually built in small trees or shrubs, 1 to 15 feet above the ground. The nest is constructed from twigs, bark strips, vines, leaves, hair, and grass. Clutch will contain 2 to 5 eggs and incubation lasts 12 to 13 days.

Range:

A Few Things You Probably Didn't Know:

At your feeder you may see mate feeding between a mating pair of Cardinals. The male will pick up a seed and take it to the female. They will momentarily touch beaks as she takes the food. This may occur as often as four times per minute.
The female will often sing from the nest to alert the male that it is time to bring food.
The male Cardinal is very territorial and will vigorously defend his breeding territory. He may even fight his own reflection if he sees it in a window.

Click here for more information on how to attract a Northern Cardinal and many other species of wild birds.

Click here for information on other backyard birds.

The Northern Cardinal is the Illinois State Bird.

The Cardinal is the Indiana State Bird.

The Cardinal is the Kentucky State Bird.

The Cardinal is the North Carolina State Bird.

The Cardinal is the Ohio State Bird.

The Cardinal is the Virginia State Bird.

The Cardinal is the West Virginia State Bird.

Please tell us about the Northern Cardinals visiting your feeders.

Northern Cardinals are one of the most beautiful birds to visit our backyard feeders. Unfortunately not everyone gets to see them. If you are fortunate enough to see them in your yard please tell us about them.

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What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

My Grandmother's legacy
I never gave much thought to birds as I had lived in a city apartment most of my adult life. My Grandmother however LOVED Cardinals. For gift giving occasions,...

Female Cardinal
I have a female cardinal at my window of my office she sits on a bush outside my window then flies to the window like she is trying to get in. Then she ...