Perhaps no outdoor scene in the world has been painted or photographed more often than a cardinal in the snow. That “cardinal red” framed with a back drop of pure white is simply stunning. Last week, during our surprise snow storm, I was treated to that scene and I couldn’t help but pause and admire the beauty of this special creature that graces our yard with his presence.
Cardinals, Northern Cardinals, actually, are truly home bodies. Unlike the robins and bluebirds which come and go, cardinals stay put – at least in my yard. They relish the sunflower seeds I toss on the ground and they frequent my feeder with sunflower hearts throughout the day. Though they come to feeders, I believe they prefer to feed on the ground,
Male cardinals are brilliant red all over, with a reddish bill and black face immediately around the bill. Females, of course, are pale brown overall with warm reddish tinges in the wings, tail, and crest. They have the same black face and red-orange bill.
Northern Cardinals tend to sit low in shrubs and trees or forage on or near the ground, often in pairs. They are common at bird feeders but may be inconspicuous away from them, at least until you learn their loud, metallic chip note.
Cardinals thrive in inhabited areas such as backyards, parks, woodlots, and shrubby forest edges. They nest in dense tangles of shrubs and vines.
In my yard, cardinals are the last birds to feed, often waiting until after dusk to fetch a few seeds.
We typically have two pairs of cardinals that nest in or near my yard. They love the thick hedges nearby as a place to nest and for shelter.
Cardinals are extremely territorial in. the spring and will often bang against our window panes, attacking their own reflections. In winter, though, they move and feed in flocks of up to 20 birds.
And there is no more beautiful sight than a flock of Northern Cardinals.