Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
Quick answer
The northern cardinal is a popular North American songbird, the male instantly recognizable by his brilliant red plumage, black face mask, and pointed crest. Females are warm tan with red highlights. A frequent visitor to backyard feeders, the cardinal sings rich, whistling songs year-round and does not migrate. Cardinals usually live about 3 years in the wild, sometimes much longer.
Northern Cardinal facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Cardinalis cardinalis |
|---|---|
| Diet | Omnivore (seeds, grains, fruit, insects) |
| Habitat | Woodland edges, gardens, and shrubland |
| Lifespan | About 3 years in the wild, longer possible |
| Length | 21–23 cm (8–9 in) |
| Top speed | Up to 48 km/h (30 mph) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Cardinalidae |
| Genus | Cardinalis |
Where it lives
Woodland edges, gardens, and shrubland across the eastern and central United States, the Southwest, Mexico, and Central America.
Color and appearance
The male northern cardinal is unmistakable, with vivid red feathers, a black mask around the bill, and a tall crest. Females are a soft tan or olive with red tinges in the wings, crest, and tail, and both sexes have a stout, cone-shaped orange-red bill suited to cracking seeds. The male's bright color comes from pigments in the foods he eats.
Song and behavior
Cardinals are accomplished singers, and unusually both males and females sing. Their clear, whistling phrases ring out through much of the year as they defend territory and stay in contact with a mate. Cardinals do not migrate, so their red against winter snow and their songs on cold mornings make them favorites in northern gardens.
Diet and feeders
Northern cardinals eat mainly seeds, grains, and fruit, along with insects, especially when feeding their young. Their strong bills handle tough seeds with ease, and they are among the most common and welcome visitors to backyard feeders, where sunflower seeds are a particular favorite.
Habitat and range
Cardinals live across the eastern and central United States, parts of the Southwest, Mexico, and Central America, and their range has expanded northward over the past century. They favor woodland edges, thickets, gardens, and shrubby areas, and have adapted well to suburbs and towns where feeders and plantings provide food and cover.
Frequently asked questions about the Northern Cardinal
Why are male cardinals so red?
Male northern cardinals get their bright red color from pigments called carotenoids in the seeds and fruit they eat. A healthy, well-fed male tends to show the most vivid red plumage.
Do female cardinals look different from males?
Yes. Females are warm tan or pale olive with reddish tints in the wings, tail, and crest, while males are brilliant red. Both sexes share the crest, black face, and orange-red bill.
What do northern cardinals eat?
Cardinals are omnivores that eat mainly seeds, grains, and fruit, plus insects, especially when raising chicks. They readily visit feeders, where sunflower seeds are a favorite.
Do cardinals migrate?
No. Northern cardinals stay in their territory year-round, which is why their red plumage and songs are a familiar sight even in the middle of a snowy northern winter.
How long do cardinals live?
Many cardinals live only about 3 years in the wild because of predators and harsh weather, but some individuals survive much longer, with banded birds recorded at over 15 years.
Do female cardinals sing?
Yes. Unlike many songbirds, female cardinals sing too, often from the nest, and pairs may use song to communicate with each other while raising their young.
