13 Facts About Cardinals You Didn’t Know Before

Cardinals are one of the most popular birds in North America. These beautiful birds have bright colors and cheerful songs. This bird is a real natural gem for bird watchers and nature lovers. Let's dive into some important facts about these amazing birds!

Introduction

Cardinal birds belong to the Cardinalidae family. They are especially known for their bright color. Male cardinals have bright, attractive red plumage, which makes them one of the most colorful birds in the world.

There are several species of cardinals in the world. Each individual has its unique characteristics. Cardinals have some fascinating behaviors that make them interesting.

Different Species of Cardinals

Three main types of cardinals are viral nowadays:

Northern Cardinal

The northern cardinal is one of the most interesting birds in  North America. It has completely red feathers, lovely songs, stunning eyes, and a small mohawk on its head. Northern Cardinal can grow up to 8 to 9 inches long. They always prefer gardens, woodlands, wetlands, etc. They are seen in pairs. Their main food includes insects, berries, and different types of seeds.

Desert Cardinal

The Desert Cardinal's other name is Pyrrhuloxia. It is a native bird of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. This species of cardinal is similar in size to the Northern Cardinal. Males are gray with a red mask and wings. Females also have the same pattern with a duller color. Their main habitat includes desert scrub, riparian areas, and mesquite. They are also found in pairs.

Vermilion Cardinal

The Vermilion Cardinal is a native bird of Colombia and Venezuela. These species are smaller than the Northern Cardinals. Males are red with a black chin. Females are brown with red spots on the crest and tail. The Vermilion Cardinals' main habitat includes scrublands and thorny bushes.

Cardinals Visit Bird Feeder

One interesting fact about Cardinals birds is they visit bird feeders sometimes. If you hang a birdfy feeder in your backyard or garden, you will see a cardinal in the early morning. In the early morning, they find food without any competition that's why they prefer to search for food in the early morning.

Basic Information

Cardinals belong to a bird family known as perching birds. These medium-sized songbirds have strong bills and crests on their heads. They are primarily found in the Americas. These beautiful birds are popular for their red feathers and beautiful songs. They use their song to communicate and mark their territory from another cardinal.
                                        Appearance of Different Cardinals

The male Northern Cardinal is very easy to spot because of its bright red feathers and a black mask around its face. The female Northern Cardinals are a little bit difficult to recognize. Females have lovely reddish-brown feathers.

Both males and females have beautiful crests on their heads. Desert Cardinals have a more muted color. It has grey feathers with some red on its face and chest. It has a lovely curved bill which helps them to eat.

The male and female desert cardinals look quite similar. The Vermilion Cardinal is a bright red bird. It has bright red feathers than the Northern Cardinal. It has a different shape crest which makes it unique among the cardinal species.

Habitat and Range

Cardinals live in a variety of habitats including woodlands, gardens, and even deserts. Northern cardinals are found across North and Central America. You can find them in forests, gardens, swamps, and even cities. Desert cardinal lives in desert areas. It is found in the southwestern United States. Vermilion Cardinal is native to Northern South America.

Diet or Food

Cardinals' main food is seed but sometimes they eat a variety of other food.

• Seeds: They love sunflower seeds. Cardinals are often seen at bird feeders.
• Fruits: Cardinals also eat fruits like berries and grapes. They got nutrients from fruits.
• Insects: During the breeding season, cardinals will eat more insects. They got protein from insects like snails and spiders.

Cardinals have strong bills that help them to crack seed. They also eat snails and spiders sometimes.

Behavior

One more fact about cardinals is their behaviors like singing and feeding habits.

Singing

Male cardinals have sweet songs. They sing to attract mates and mark their territory. Each male has their song. Females can also sing well. We can easily identify them by their different and unique song.

Territorial Actions

Cardinals are territorial birds. If someone enters their territory they will attack and defend their territory. In breeding season, they become more aggressive. If any male cardinals enter another male's territory that means they are in the red zone. Even though they attract themselves to just seeing the reflections in windows to thinking it's another bird!

Feeding habits

Cardinal foraging on the ground or in the bushes. They eat uniquely. They pick up a seed and then crack it with their strong bill and then eat the inside part. Their eating habits are similar to parrots.

Interaction with Other Birds

Cardinals are very social birds. They are also very aggressive in the breeding season. They are always found in pairs. They are very intelligent birds. They join mixed-species flocks during the winter to find food and for their safety.

Cardinals Attack themselves

Cardinals become very aggressive in the breeding season. Even they attack their reflections on the window. If you see cardinals attacking your window don't be afraid, they are just attacking their reflection.

Mating and Reproduction

Cardinals have some interesting mating facts. During the mating season, male cardinals show their bright feathers to attract mates. They also use their sweet songs to impress female cardinals. They also feed the female partner to strengthen their bond. Both males and females work together to build their nest.

Females have more credit to build nests using leaves, grass, and twigs. After completing the nest females lay three to four eggs. Female take care of their eggs around 12 to 13 days. After chicks hatch both parents feed them regularly. The chicks leave their nest after 10 to 12 days.

Cardinal's red color comes from food

Another important fact about cardinals is their red color. Their bright red color feathers come from their food. Cardinals eat berries, wild grapes, apples, and flower seeds which have more carotenoids. Eating this high carotenoid makes their color red.

Cardinals Name Come From

Cardinals got their name from Catholic church leaders. When Early residents of the American Colonies first saw these birds, they gave their names to their leaders.

Cardinals don't migrate

One more unique fact about cardinals is they don't migrate. Cardinals spend their summer, spring, and winter in the same places. They don't migrate and fly south for the winter like other birds.

Conclusion

Cardinals are fascinating birds with beautiful colors, lovely songs, and interesting behaviors. Whether you're watching a Northern Cardinal in your backyard or learning about the unique Desert Cardinal, these birds never fail to captivate. They play an important role in their ecosystems, helping to control insect populations and disperse seeds. Plus, their vibrant appearance and cheerful songs make them a joy to observe. Next time you see a cardinal, take a moment to appreciate its beauty and the wonderful role it plays in nature. Whether you're a seasoned bird watcher or just someone who enjoys nature, cardinals are sure to bring a smile to your face.