Northern Cardinal

Sep 15, 2026 aviiobird

Scientific Name: Cardinalis cardinalis
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cardinalidae

About the Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is one of the most recognizable birds in North America. With its brilliant red plumage, distinctive crest, and year-round presence, it is a favorite among backyard birdwatchers.

Male cardinals are especially hard to miss, thanks to their vibrant red feathers and black markings around the face. Females are more subtle in color, with mostly warm brown plumage accented by touches of red. Despite their different appearances, both males and females have the characteristic pointed crest that makes cardinals easy to identify.

Unlike many migratory birds, Northern Cardinals remain in the same general area throughout the year. They also keep their attractive plumage through every season, making them a welcome sight even against a snowy winter landscape. During the warmer months, their clear, pleasant songs can often be heard early in the morning.

How to Attract Northern Cardinals to Your Backyard

Northern Cardinals are frequent visitors to bird feeders, provided your location falls within their natural range. They are particularly attracted to sunflower seeds, which are a popular choice for feeding these birds.

Food is not the only factor that can encourage cardinals to stay around your yard. Maintaining areas of natural vegetation, including shrubs and low-growing plants, can provide useful cover and potential nesting locations.

For a more cardinal-friendly backyard, consider combining bird feeders with areas of dense undergrowth around the edges of your property.

Interesting Facts About Northern Cardinals

Female Cardinals Can Sing

In most North American songbird species, singing is primarily associated with males. The Northern Cardinal is an interesting exception. Females can also sing and may do so while sitting on the nest.

This behavior may help communicate with the male, including providing information about when food should be brought to the nest. Mated pairs often share similar song phrases, although the female’s song can be longer and somewhat more complex than the male’s.

Why Cardinals Attack Their Reflections

One unusual behavior often surprises homeowners in spring. Northern Cardinals may repeatedly attack their own reflections in windows, car mirrors, or other shiny surfaces.

Both males and females can display this behavior, which is most common during spring and early summer. At this time of year, cardinals are strongly focused on defending their territories, and they may mistake their reflections for rival birds.

A cardinal can spend hours repeatedly confronting the apparent intruder. In most cases, the behavior fades after several weeks as their aggressive hormone levels decrease. However, some individual birds may continue attacking reflections for much longer.