Animals

The Cardinals or Cardinalidae are seed-eating birds that are endemic to North and South America. They are typically associated with open woodland areas.

The Northern Cardinal is found in North America. The males have bright red feathers, a black face, and coral or red beaks. The females are tan and may have slightly red wings or tail feathers. They both have strong beaks, long tails, and raised crests. They grow to 7 to 9 inches tall.

The sexes usually have distinct plumages. The family is named for the red color (like that of a Catholic cardinal’s vestments) of males of the type species, the Northern Cardinal.

The male cardinal is very defensive of its territory and will fight off other males. It is even known to start a fight with its own reflection!

It is thought that the cardinal uses songs to communicate. The female and male will sing back and forth to each other.

The typical song of the Northern Cardinal starts with a series of loud, clear whistles. Cardinals will sing sharp “chips” as an alarm song as well.

The female builds the nest and tends the hatchlings for about 10 days while the male brings food.
The male then takes over the care of this first brood while the female moves on to a new nest and lays a second clutch of eggs.