The Northern Cardinal

Dedicated to all my blogger friends who do not
get Northern Cardinals at their backyard feeders.

EnJoy

Last year I counted 12 pair of Cardinals in my yard
but this year I have even more than that.
Sunday Morning it was snowing and as I looked
out towards the feeder all I could see was 'red' in
the bushes. Click for a closer view. Almost every bird you
see is a male or female Northern Cardinal.

The brilliantly colored Northern Cardinal has the record
for popularity as a state bird: in the United States,
it holds that title in seven states.

According to Cornell's"All about Birds" This common
bird is a winter fixture at snow-covered bird feeders
throughout the Northeast, but it only spread to
New York and New England in the mid-20th century.

It's song is a series of clear whistles, the first
down-slurred and ending in a slow trill.
"Cheer, cheer, cheer, what, what, what, what" then "chip"
Once you hear a Cardinal you will remember it and be
able to imitate it easily.

They like dense bushes for cover and will sit in
them between their trips to the feeder

The female Northern Cardinal sings, often from the nest.
The song may give the male information about when to bring food

Female Grayish tan. Red in wings, tail, and crest.
Face and breast have some red. Face mask gray to black.
Conical bill red to orange.
Brighter red males hold territories with denser vegetation,
feed at higher rates, and have greater reproductive
success than duller males.

Cardinals will easily share the feeder with other birds.

Two of the predators of the eggs and chicks are Eastern
gray Squirrels

and Blue Jays.

Coopers Hawks and Shrikes will prey upon adults.

I know one thing.... They are a welcome sight in the
dark dreary days of winter when color is drab.

Male or Female they are equally attractive birds

I hope you enjoyed the Cardinals at my feeders.
Winter snows sure bring out birds in numbers.

To God be The Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done