Your backyard bird feeders likely already draw cardinals; just by keeping them filled with sunflower and safflower seeds, cracked corn, fruit, berries, and tree buds, you are drawing them. But did you know they live year-round in your neighborhood? Many have witnessed male cardinals aggressively defend their breeding territory from other male birds by striking back against themselves in mirrors in springtime, striking their reflection with an intense display of territorial behavior.
Brilliant Red Plumage
As one of our backyard feeder’s regular visitors, the Northern Cardinal is one of our most familiar and beloved bird species. Characterized by a bright red bird with an elegant sharp crest and sweet whistled songs, it often arrives first at our birdbaths in winter and at our feeders on frosty mornings. Male cardinals exhibit higher testosterone levels and brighter colors, while their female counterparts feature duller silhouettes with black face masks and red bills – known as sexual dimorphism. Male and female bats communicate through body signals and beautiful whistled phrases such as a chip call or “whoit whoit whoit.” Furthermore, song is used to protect their territories and attract potential mates. From April to August, they construct nests of grasses, weeds, sticks, vines, and bark three to 20 feet above ground in shrubs, small trees, or briars from three to 20 feet off the ground. From April through August, females incubate two or five white eggs for 12-13 days before leaving them for someone else to incubate for them if one dies; mating pairs may remain together year-round but may seek replacement partners after that mate passes on.
Females Sing
The male cardinal’s distinctive red feathers draw immediate attention, while its more subdued female is light brown with more subdued features. Both species tend to blend in seamlessly into environments, which explains why they often hide behind dense tangles of brush. Listen out for its distinctive chip call to locate one! Cardinals are one of the few songbirds that can be heard year-round singing their repertoire of songs to protect their territories fervently. Cardinals provide nourishment to their young throughout winter. Along with eating plant seeds and grains, cardinals also eat tree buds, fruit trees, berries, nuts, and insects such as caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, and cutworms as sources of sustenance. Though both male and female cardinals create nests, females do most of the work. Crushing twigs with her beak makes them more flexible for nest construction; then she constructs her cup-shaped nest out of coarse twigs, branches, stems, rootlets, and pine needles – often laying four eggs that her male guards while she feeds their young. Female cardinals may attack their own reflection in windows, but you can stop this behavior by hanging a towel over it.
Year-Round Residents
Like many of their bird counterparts, Cardinals remain, year-round residents, often spending winter in warmer regions. Cardinals have become adept at living near humans and are just as comfortable living in suburban neighborhoods as in rural environments. Male cardinals use singing to attract female cardinals during mating season and establish territories, allowing pairs to bond until one dies. The female builds a cup-shaped nest from grasses, roots, and bark in dense shrubbery or vines and incubates it for 12 days before laying 3-4 eggs into it. Her partner feeds her while she sits atop the nest.A cardinal in your yard can be seen as a symbol of good fortune and a reminder to express yourself freely and authentically. Additionally, cardinals have long been seen as reminders that deceased loved ones remain close – many people report seeing cardinals shortly after experiencing a loss, providing comforting assurance they remain nearby in spirit.
Diet
Cardinal feathers get their brilliant red hue from carotenoids found in certain fruits, seeds, and plants; without these pigment-triggering foods at hand, the bird’s plumage could deteriorate to light brown in hue. Cardinals are among the most versatile feeders of birds, consuming seeds, grains, fruits, and greens from many different sources. They frequently visit backyard bird feeders where their strong beaks easily open seeds for consumption. Male and female cardinals will typically lay three to four eggs each in their nest during spring and summer, requiring intense parental feeding of their young chicks, who require intensive nutrition at first. Their parents frequently regurgitate food directly into their chicks’ mouths. Cardinals love black oil sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and various weed seeds offered at bird feeders. Cardinal-specific blends may be available from some birdfeeder manufacturers; alternatively, you could create your own mix using ingredients they enjoy eating – including nyjer seeds, cracked corn, suet, or mealworms!
Territorial Behavior
The Northern Cardinal is an abundant non-migratory species throughout Tennessee, being present all year long and inhabiting various habitats such as suburban neighborhoods, rural areas, and bottomland forests. Bird feeders attract these beautiful birds, while sunflower and safflower seeds can help attract them even further to gardens. Male and female cardinals collaborate to select and protect territory for breeding and rearing young, using song, displays, and gentle combat. They even attack reflections in glass surfaces (windows and mirrors) when necessary. Some cardinals spend hours fighting an imaginary intruder during breeding season – sometimes, multiple cardinals fight each other every day! If you own a cardinal as a pet, one way to manage its territorial behavior is by providing ample food and water, placing its cage in an ideal location, and rewarding good behavior regularly. Rewarding good behavior also sends the message that their actions are acceptable; this lets your cardinal know exactly what actions are expected of them from you.
Monogamous Mates
Contrary to what most other birds may believe, male and female Cardinals typically remain together year-round after mating. Their commitment is what gives Cardinals their reputation of faithfulness. Once a male has chosen a female Cardinal, the pair will begin building a nest from twigs, grasses, bark, and other materials. Cardinal parents typically raise two broods per year, with baby Cardinals usually being small when born compared to their parents’ features. Male birds make clear whistles and repetitive patterns to defend their territory from potential threats such as predators. Additionally, they emit metallic short-chip sounds that warn potential intruders. Females of this species feature warm buffy-tan coloring on their back and breasts with red-orange wings, tail, crown, mask, and crest that set them apart from males. Females also sing while tending to their young.
Nesting Habits
Cardinals nest in live trees, shrubs, or vine tangles that provide protection from predators. Male cardinals collect nesting materials for delivery to female cardinals for nest building which takes 3-9 days and involves creating a cup-shaped nest out of twigs, bark strips, vine leaves, fine grasses, and pine needles that is lined with fine grasses and pine needles lining her cup-shaped nest containing pine needles and grasses lining its interior surface lining her cup-shaped nest and incubates her eggs for 12-13 days before mating commences again. Cardinal pairs will construct a new nest each mating season. When scoping out potential sites for them to mate in, watch for them fluffing their feathers and turning their bodies as they assess each potential site for protection from predators – the main threat to eggs and chicks in her nest. She won’t choose one which has already been used. Birds love berry-producing plants such as mulberry trees and blueberry bushes, which you can plant in your yard to draw them all year round. In addition, birds eat seeds from plants and soft caterpillars (you can encourage this by providing habitats such as dill fennel parsley and coneflower plants for caterpillars), plus water from streams, ponds, or birdbaths.
Symbolism
Cardinals have become beloved symbols across North America due to their vibrant hues and melodious songs. Their behavior and unique appearance provide us with many spiritual meanings, from reminding us of loved ones we’ve lost to encouraging us to take risks. When Cardinals appear in your life, it serves as a reminder to have faith and trust that good things are coming your way. Cardinals also symbolize family and love by their commitment to each other and standing up for what matters to them. Cardinals are also symbols of balance; male and female partners work cooperatively to establish territories, select nesting locations and build homes. Communication occurs between partners through different sounds, while courtship rituals include twisting, swaying, and chest-puffing movements that show their affection toward each other. Finally, the Cardinal is a gentle reminder to go outside and admire nature’s splendor. Its distinctive markings encourage people to become visible members of their community – don’t be intimidated to step outside your comfort zone and meet new friends!
