Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

Least Concern
Brilliant red and resilient all year long, the beloved Northern Cardinal is the official bird of seven American states. These common songbirds bring a splash of color and some adorable antics to backyard birdfeeders across the east.
Share this bird:

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Northern Cardinal is an unmistakable, striking bird with a distinctive crest and robust conical bill. Males are bright red, with a black face mask and coral-red bill. Their wings have a grayish tinge.

Females are predominantly pale brown or buff, with reddish tinges on the crest, wings, and tail. Both sexes have a prominent crest and a long tail. Juveniles resemble females but have a darker bill.

Rare yellow cardinals and birds with half-male and half-female plumage turn up from time to time, and Northern Cardinals often have a scruffy appearance when molting and sometimes even go bald.

Size

Length

21cm to 23cm

Wingspan

25cm to 31cm

Weight

42g to 48g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Red

Secondary Colour

Black Grey

Beak Colour

Red Orange

Leg Colour

Brown

Primary Colour (Female)

Buff Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

Red Grey

Beak Colour (Female)

Orange

Leg Colour (Female)

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Northern Cardinal can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Northern Cardinal can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Northern Cardinal is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Northern Cardinal is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Northern Cardinal can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Northern Cardinal is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Northern Cardinal is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Northern Cardinal is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Northern Cardinal is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Northern Cardinal is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Northern Cardinal is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Northern Cardinal is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Northern Cardinals are found across eastern and central North America, from southern Canada to parts of Mexico and Central America. They thrive in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, gardens, shrublands, and wetland edges.

In the United States, they are year-round residents and have expanded their range northward in recent decades. They are particularly common in suburban areas with dense shrubs and small trees.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Northern Cardinal. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Belize Bermuda Canada Guatemala Honduras Mexico
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
United States of America
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Cayman Islands

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Northern Cardinal displays considerable agility, particularly in its distinctive 'up-and-down' hopping motion when foraging. Its ability to navigate dense shrubs and trees with ease also suggests good manoeuvrability.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not exceptionally strong, the Cardinal's robust conical bill allows it to crack open tough seeds, indicating a respectable level of strength for its size. Its ability to defend territories year-round also suggests moderate strength.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Northern Cardinals demonstrate high adaptability, thriving in various habitats from woodlands to urban gardens. Their successful range expansion and ability to cope with different elevations (sea level to 2,500 metres) further support this rating.

Aggressiveness 70

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

These birds maintain year-round territories, suggesting a fair degree of aggression in defending their space. Males are known to be particularly territorial during breeding season, though they're not considered overly aggressive compared to some other species.

Endurance 80

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

As non-migratory birds that maintain territories year-round in diverse climates, Northern Cardinals display good endurance. Their ability to raise multiple broods per season and survive in both temperate and subtropical zones also indicates strong stamina.

Diet

Northern Cardinals are primarily seed-eaters, favoring sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and cracked corn. They supplement their diet with insects, especially during the breeding season.

Cardinals use their strong beaks to crack open seeds and are frequent visitors to bird feeders, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.

Behaviour

Northern Cardinals are often seen in pairs, maintaining year-round territories. When foraging on the ground, they exhibit a distinctive 'up-and-down' hopping motion.

During courtship, males may feed seeds to females in a behavior known as mate-feeding, strengthening their pair bond.

Vocalisation

Northern Cardinals are known for their clear, whistling songs. The male's song is a loud series of clear down-slurred or two-parted whistles, often described as 'cheer-cheer-cheer' or 'birdy-birdy-birdy'. Females also sing, which is unusual among songbirds. Their calls include a sharp 'chip' note used for contact.

Nesting & Breeding

Northern Cardinals form monogamous pairs and breed from March to September. Males court females by singing and offering food. Females select nest sites, typically in dense shrubs or small trees.

The nest is a cup-shaped structure made of twigs, bark strips, and grasses. Females lay 2-5 eggs, which are whitish with brown or gray spots. Incubation lasts about 11-13 days.

Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 9-11 days. Cardinals often raise 2 to 3 broods per season, with the male caring for fledglings while the female prepares for the next brood.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

Northern Cardinals are currently listed as Least Concern due to their large range and stable population. However, they face threats from habitat loss in some areas and collisions with windows. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable habitats in urban and suburban areas.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

130,000,000 individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for bright red males perched on exposed branches or feeders
  • Listen for their clear, whistling song, often described as 'cheer-cheer-cheer'
  • Check dense shrubs and low trees where they often nest
  • Visit bird feeders early morning or late afternoon when they're most active

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Redbird, Common Cardinal

Family:

Cardinalidae

Average Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Max Lifespan

15 years

Predators

Northern Cardinals face predation from hawks, owls, shrikes, and domestic cats. Nest predators include squirrels, snakes, and blue jays.

Did You Know?

  1. Northern Cardinals do not migrate, staying in their territories year-round.
  2. They are one of the few female songbirds that sing, often while sitting on the nest.
  3. The Northern Cardinal is the state bird of seven U.S. states, more than any other species.

References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2018. Cardinalis cardinalis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22723819A132024136.

    View source
  2. 3

    report, 2007: Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count: Butcher and Niven

  3. 2

    website, 2022: Partners in Flight

    View source

Share Your Feedback

We value your opinion! Let us know what you think about this bird page.

Thank you for your feedback! We appreciate your input.