Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

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 Northern Cardinal (Emberizidae: Cardinalis cardinalis)

The Cardinal is one of the most common and distinctive species of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. The species occurs throughout the eastern half of the United States and extreme southeastern Canada. There is also a population in southern New Mexico and Arizona. The Cardinal has been spreading northward and becoming more abundant in the past few decades.

Identifying Features: The male is a bright red with a black mask around the bill and eye. The female is less bright and is a mixture of olive-brown and red. Both the male and female have a distinctive crest on the top of the head.

Similar Species: The Cardinal will not be mistaken for any other bird within its range.

Habitat: The Cardinal is found just about everywhere within its range, but is most commonly seen around the edges of woods and in brushy open fields. The species is very common in the suburban areas of the eastern United States.

Food: The usual food of Cardinals is seeds. However during the breeding season insects are added to the diet. Cardinals are very common birds at bird feeders.

Behavior: Cardinals are territorial and very aggressive. Territories are defended all year long.

Reproduction: The typical Cardinal nest contains 3 to 4 pale green eggs with red-brown spots. The nest is a cup of mixed leaves, twigs, and plant fibers, usually concealed in a thicket of branches or twigs.

Notes: Cardinals are very common around our house in suburban Maryland. For several years we had a resident male whose chief pleasure seemed to be attacking the glass door between the deck and the dining room. We thought at first he was attacking his reflection, but the attacks would continue even when he couldn't possibly see a reflection. The cat (on the other side of the glass) found this all very amusing, if somewhat perplexing.