Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Northern Cardinal
Cardinal rouge
Cardinalis cardinalis
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
Species: The Northern Cardinal is a popular sight to see around birdfeeders in the winter months. The Northern Cardinal was named for the male's red crest which is reminiscent of a Catholic cardinal's red cap. Although the Northern Cardinal has been seen in Canada for many years, it was not until the late 1970's or early 1980's that there was proof of them nesting.
Distinctions: Sexually dimorphic, the male has a red body, crested head with a black face. The female is light brown with red tinges on its wing and tail feathers, some black around her eyes. The juveniles are similar to the female except for having a black bill instead of a red bill.
Voice: Both the male and female sing, which is different from most bird species, and the cardinals sing all year long. Although they are secretive birds, it is not uncommon to see them singing and perched on a limb in the open.
Nesting: Four to six pale green eggs with reddish-brown spots, with as many as four broods per year.
Life, Habitat & Pictures of North American Cardinals
| B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.75" 22.2cm | 12" 30.5cm | 1.6oz 45.4g | Cardinalidae | Cardinalis cardinalis |
North American Bird Calls
- Tap to hear Choice 1
- Tap to hear Choice 2
- Summer
- Year Around
- Winter
Distribution: Found throughout all areas where there are thickets or heavy bush. Expanding farther north every year and this is credited to the outdoor feeder stations being put out in the winter months. Seen from Nova Scotia to south of the Canadian borders into the central USA, down into Arizona to the southern tip of Florida.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
