Northern Cardinal

(Cardinalis cardinalis)

One of the most loved birds in the United States is the northern cardinal. It's such a beautiful bird. From the tip of its beak to the end of its tail,it measures 8 3/4 inches and has a wingspan of 12 inches. It is said that most live for approximately 3 years. However, some live to the age of 15. Do you know how it got its name? From the Roman Catholic cardinal.

In the early 1800s cardinals lived mainly in the southeastern states of the U.S. The reaction to climate change and habitats being destroyed, caused them to move east. Now they live from coast to coast.

Don't you love taking a walk and hearing and watching the cardinal? I do. It's one of our special songbirds. The female cardinals sing the same songs as the males.

How much fun it is to watch them hop around in search of food. Sometimes they sit in trees where berries are plentiful. Insects are also food, if no berries are around. One of the reasons people love the cardinal is the fact that they eat the seeds of weeds. How great is that!

This bird is known for eating high up in a tree on the berries, middle of the tree on berries and even on the ground on berries. If you have a crabapple tree or two, you will notice them enjoying the beautiful red berries. They are so much fun to watch.

Something I learned is that, if there is a hole in a maple tree, they will drink the sap. And something we all know is how they love to eat at birdfeeders where sunflower seeds and cracked corn are waiting for them. I know several people who have birdfeeders just so they can watch the cardinals.

What's special about this bird is that it's found here all year round. I've seen them in spring with the lilacs.

And I've seen them in winter even as the snow came down. I have seen it year round as they do not migrate.

Each time I've seen them, it has brought a smile to my face. What a beauty. What a wonderous sound it makes.

Just as we have five senses, so does the cardinal. Their best senses are seeing and hearing. Both of these senses help them find food. There other senses aren't as good. It's as if Mother Nature gave the cardinal what it needs most to survive.

The cardinal is the state bird of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia.

Enjoy their color and sound.

Thank you for visiting!


Judy

Reference:

Alderferer, J. (2013). National Geographic Kids: Bird Guide to North America.

 Gerholdt, J. (1997). Cardinals.

Kaufman, K. (1996). Lives of North American Birds.

https://www.thespruce.com/fun-facts-about-cardinals-385528

http://mentalfloss.com/article/72702/10-crimson-facts-about-cardinals

https://americanexpedition.us/learn-about-wildlife/northern-cardinal-facts-information/