Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Timothy Dkye (Unsplash, 2024)

The Quintessential Red Bird

Northern Cardinals are the ultimate in Red Birds! A medium-sized bird - slightly smaller than a Blue Jay and similar or slightly larger than the North American Robin. Northern Cardinals can usually be found in southern parts of central and eastern Canadian Provinces, and across many of the Eastern States of the US.  

Male and Female Cardinals have different plumage - it’s the males are the brilliant red colour, along with their black face mask and crested head feathers. The female cardinal is pale brown with reddish tinges on the wings, tail and crest. Both male and female have a short, pale orange conical beak.

 

Lots of Tunes

Cardinals are songbirds and thus have a large repertoire of tunes (up to 16 apparently). Both the males and females sing - sometimes in a duet and usually about food or strangers. Their famous metallic morning whistle reminds me a little of a 1980s space invader game!

 

Loving those Hedges!

Cardinals favour the edges of woodland and open habitats, and are often found in country gardens, urban parks and on the edges of town. Slightly more timid than the Blue Jay, Cardinals favour hiding in dense trees and hedges. They often seem to be close-by without you realising - which is probably the point. 

 

Photo by Kyle Johnston (Unsplash, 2024)  

 

Cardinal’s don’t migrate during the winter, their striking red feathers a bold contrast against the white snow of a Canadian winter.

I didn't see any Cardinals when I lived on the South Shore, but friends and neighbours did, especially over the last few years. Since moving to Annapolis Royal, I see them regularly. With warmer weather than the South Shore and lots more "gardens" and agricultural land, the Annapolis Valley provides a more favourable habitat for this bird.

 

Not quite vegetarian

Cardinal’s eat a varied diet of fruit, nuts, seeds and insects. Their beaks are tough, allowing them to easily crack into hard nuts and seeds such as sunflowers which they particularly enjoy. The rise in popularity of backyard bird feeders has helped their population rise over the past 25 years - that along with the changing climate which has led to (relatively) warmer winters and hotter summers within Canada. There’s more chance you’ll see a cardinal now!

 

Loyalty, Love and Joy

The Northern Cardinal is associated with luck, loyalty and perhaps because they’re thought to be monogamous, cardinals are also associated with feelings of love and devotion. In many cultures, sightings of Cardinals signify a message from a loved-one that has passed away.  Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, the cheerful red Cardinal radiates feelings of hope or joy to those they visit.