Named after high ranking bishops of the catholic church who wear red caps and capes called cardinals, the male version of this species sports a brilliant red coat and a sharp crest. They are a sight to behold on a winter day. With a snow white backdrop the males red coat pops out and can't be missed. During spring mating season you might see them trying to, what appears to be, at first glance break a window but, they are just fighting their reflection. Male Northern Cardinals are very territorial during mating season, but during winter will gather together in loose groups. The Northern Cardinal is very popular and is the state bird of no less than seven states, as well as the team name of at least two professional sports organizations. The Arizona Cardinals (football) and the St. Louis Cardinals (baseball).
Location, Location, Location
The Northern Cardinal can be found in southeastern Canada, throughout the eastern United States from Minnesota to Texas into southern Arizona and California down through Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. They have also been introduced to a couple places such as Bermuda and Hawaii. Northern Cardinals do not migrate and can often be seen around bird feeders during winter. They are found everywhere from city parks to woodland areas as long as there are some thick bushes for nesting.
Mating / Courtship
A male cardinal will defend his territory very aggressively, singing to warn off intruders, and will attack any unlucky ones that will try to trespass including his own reflection in windows or mirrors. Courtship rituals include singing, dancing and the male will also feed the female! Cardinals are mostly monogamous and can stay together for several years. Research has shown some clutches have extra partner copulation hence the "mostly". Once the female has selected a mate she builds a nest in her particular males territory. The male may help bring material but does not help with construction. The female will lay 3-4 eggs and incubate them while the male collects food for him and his mate. The female will sing while incubating possibly to let her mate know when she is hungry "come feed me" and when to stay away so his bright red coat doesn’t attract predators to the nest. Incubation takes 12-13 days. Once the eggs hatch both parents will help feed the young. Between 7-13 days later the young leave the nest.
Diet
The Northern Cardinal eats ALOT of plant seed, up to 90% of its diet consisting of seeds with the rest being berries and some insects. The best way to attract these beautiful red birds seems to be with sunflower seeds. In fact the backyard feeder is credited with aiding the cardinals expanding range of habitat. So if you want to attract some of these brilliant red birds to your backyard maybe set out some sunflower seeds.