Northern Cardinal

(Cardinalis cardinalis)

Conservation Status
Northern Cardinal
 
  IUCN Red List

LC - Least Concern

 
  NatureServe

N5 - Secure

SNR - Unranked

 
  Minnesota

not listed

 
           
           
 
Description
 
 

This is one of the most widely recognized birds in North America.

 
     
 

Size

 
 

7½ to 9¼ in length

12 wingspan

 
     
 

Voice

 
   
 

The song of both males and females is a series of clear, bubbly notes that have been describes as woit, woit, woit, chew, chew, chew, chew, chew or pichew, pichew, tiw, tiw, tiw, tiw, tiw (Sibley); and cheer, cheer, cheer or birdie, birdie, birdie (Cornell Lab of Ornithology). It is a learned song and varies by region.

In the spring a male seeking to attract a female gives an inspiring vocal performance that must be listened to for several minutes to be fully appreciated. It begins with a series of just three to six notes; woit, woit, chew, chew, chew. After a pause of few seconds the series is repeated, increasing the number of chew notes usually by just one. This continues for several minutes, each time the series increasing usually by just a single note. The series will often get to 18 to 20 chew notes. One series I counted reached 24. You do not have to be a female Northern Cardinal to be impressed by such a performance.

 
     
 

Similar Species

 
     
     
 
Habitat
 
 

Thickets and shrubs along woodland edges, parks, suburban back yards

 
     
 
Ecology
 
 

Migration

 
 

 

 
     
 

Nesting

 
 

 

 
     
 

Food

 
 

 

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Occurrence

 
 

Common year-round resident

 
         
 

Maps

 
 

The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map

 
         
 
Taxonomy
 
  Class Aves (birds)  
 

Order

Passeriformes (perching birds)  
 

Family

Cardinalidae (cardinals and allies)  
 

Genus

Cardinalis (typical cardinals)  
       
 

The genus Piranga was formerly placed in the tanager family Thraupidae. Mitochondrial DNA data from several studies between 1997 and 2007 show that the genus is more closely related to cardinals (family Cardinalidae).

 
       
 

Subordinate Taxa

 
 

Arizona Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis superbus)

Cozumel Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis saturatus)

Eastern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis)

Florida Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis floridanus)

Gray-tailed Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis canicaudus)

Isla Cerralvo Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis clintoni)

Isla Tiburón Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis townsendi)

Long-crested Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis carneus)

Louisiana Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis magnirostris)

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis affinis)

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis coccineus)

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis flammiger)

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis littoralis)

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis phillipsi)

San Lucas Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis igneus)

Santa Gertrudis Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis seftoni)

Sinaloa Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis sinaloensis)

Tres Marías Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis mariae)

Yucatan Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis yucatanicus)

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Visitor Photos
 
           
 

Share your photo of this bird.

 
  This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Attach one or more photos and, if you like, a caption.
 
 

Gregory Gilman

 
 

Female Cardinal

  Northern Cardinal  
           
 

Male Red Cardinal

  Northern Cardinal  
 

Ramona Abrego

 
 

Male and Female

 
    Northern Cardinal   Northern Cardinal  
           
    Northern Cardinal   Northern Cardinal  
 

Gerry Garcia

 
    Northern Cardinal      
 

Wayne Rasmussen

 
    Northern Cardinal   Northern Cardinal  
           
 

Cardinals are ever present in Maplewood Hts Park in Ramsey County, but difficult to photograph

  Northern Cardinal  
           
    Northern Cardinal   Northern Cardinal  
 

Margot Avey

 
    Northern Cardinal      
 

Richard Thrasher

 
 

male cardnial at feeder

 
    Northern Cardinal      
 

Tom Baker

 
    Northern Cardinal   Northern Cardinal  
           
    Northern Cardinal   Northern Cardinal  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
 
 

Male

 
    Northern Cardinal      
           
 

Juvenile Male

 
    Northern Cardinal      
           
 

Female

 
    Northern Cardinal   Northern Cardinal  

 

Camera

 

     
 
Slideshows
 
  Northern Cardinal
JMC Nature Photos
 
  Northern Cardinal  
  Cardinals
jt893x
 
  Cardinals  
  Northern Cardinal
Craig A. Mullenbach
 
  Northern Cardinal  
  Birding by Ear: Northern Cardinal Song
LabofOrnithology
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on May 24, 2010

Macaulay Library Curator, Greg Budney, talks about the brilliant song of the Northern Cardinal.

Learn more about the Northern Cardinal on All About Birds: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/northern_cardinal/id.

 
  Northern Cardinal 2008
petersonfieldguides
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Feb 23, 2009

A serious contender for the title of "Most Brilliant Backyard Bird," the Northern Cardinal is on just about everyone's list of favorite birds.

 

 

slideshow

       
 
Visitor Videos
 
       
 

Share your video of this bird.

 
    This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Attach a video, a YouTube link, or a cloud storage link.
 
 

Avi Birds

 
  Northern Cardinal / Redbird / Common Cardinal / Red Cardinal / Cardinal [Cardinalis Cardinalis]
Dec 26, 2022
 
   
 
About

In this video, we learn about the northern cardinal.

   
       
 
Other Videos
 
  Northern Cardinal Portrait
ebirdr
 
   
 
About

Published on Dec 13, 2012

The Northern Cardinal is common in eastern United States and just enters southeastern Canada. It is the state bird for Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. It is found in thickets, suburban areas, gardens and at feeders. As this video show, although the Cardinal is a beautiful bird it also has an ugly side. When it's moulting it's pretty revolting. It looks very prehiistoric, like something right out of Jurassic Park..

It is crested with a stout red bill. The male is red overall with a black face. The female is buffy-brown or buffy-olive overall with red in its wings, tail, and crest.

These birds are nonmigratory. They add color and sound to a winter scene.

Both sexes sing throughout the year giving such short whistles as "purty purty purty" and a sharp metallic "chink" call.

   
  HD Northern cardinals feeding baby birds 1080
FrontYardVideo
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Jun 9, 2011

Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) bird parents feeding bugs to chicks and cleaning up the poop to keep the nest clean

   
  Northern Cardinal - HD Mini-Documentary
James Knott
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Feb 6, 2009

Mini-documentary about the Northern Cardinal. It's song look and habitat.

Transcription: "With a crested head, black mask around its eyes and brilliant red body, the Northern Cardinal is one of the most famous birds in North America.

It is a mid-sized songbird that lives in wooded areas and has a distinct orange beak shaped perfectly for eating seeds which make up the majority of its diet.

The Northern Cardinal does not migrate. It is a year-round resident whose range extends from southern Canada to Mexico on the eastern half of the continent.

The plumage of the males feathers is much brighter and more vibrant than that of the females it is trying to attract.

It learns its song, so the tune of the cardinal will vary by region.

This beautiful bird is named after the cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church who wore red robes and caps.

It is the state bird in seven states - North Carolina, West Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Virginia."

   
  Northern Cardinal Singing Close-up Finale with Thunderstorm in HD
my35Xvision
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Mar 27, 2011

Uploaded on Mar 27, 2011

Northern Cardinal Singing Close-up Finale with Thunderstorm in HD

Back to my channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/my35Xvision

Good Morning America WAKE UP!

Early morning song by Northern Cardinal and finale with the Thunderstorm.

Filmed by my35Xvision on 3/26 and 3/23 2011.

Featured:
Northern Cardinal
Thunderstorm

Make sure you subscribe/like/comment/share!

Please visit my channel to view more exciting videos of mine:
http://www.youtube.com/user/my35Xvision

   
  Sounds of Spring Northern Cardinal Courtship
Brandy Doyker
 
   
 
About

Published on Apr 15, 2013

While the female has softer side...both male and female sing songs of courtship...during this time the male is seen feeding the female...his way of demonstrating he's the one...good provider of food...both female and male feed the babies...in dense shrubs...she builds the nest...it's quite romantic...♥

   

 

Camcorder

 
 
Visitor Sightings
 
           
 

Report a sighting of this bird.

 
  This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Be sure to include a location.
 
  Ramona Abrego

Location: Washington County

Male and Female

Northern Cardinal  
  Gerry Garcia
5/17/2019

Location: West Bloomington

Female

Northern Cardinal  
  Wayne Rasmussen
5/13/2018

Location: Ramsey

Northern Cardinal  
  Margot Avey
8/31/2017

Location: Lake Harriet Gardens, Minneapolis MN

Northern Cardinal  
  Richard
Thrasher

6/21/2017

Location: Green Isle, MN

male cardnial at feeder

Northern Cardinal  
  Wayne Rasmussen
7/25/2016

Location: Maplewood Heights Park

Northern Cardinal  
  Gregory Gilman
2/24/2015

Location: Rochester, MN

Male Red Cardinal

Northern Cardinal  
  Wayne Rasmussen
5/18/2011

Location: Maplewood Heights Park

Cardinals are ever present in Maplewood Hts Park in Ramsey County, but difficult to photograph

Northern Cardinal  
  Wayne Rasmussen
5/7/2011

Location: Maplewood Heights Park

Northern Cardinal  
  Gregory Gilman
1/23/2011

Location: Rochester, MN

Female Cardinal

Northern Cardinal  
  Wayne Rasmussen
4/10/2009

Location: Maplewood Heights Park

Northern Cardinal  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
 
 

Avon Hills Forest SNA, North Unit

Baker Park Reserve

Beaver Creek Valley State Park

Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park

Big Woods Heritage Forest WMA

Blaine Preserve SNA

Blue Devil Valley SNA

Boot Lake SNA

Buck Family Memorial WMA

Bunker Hills Regional Park

Bur Oak WMA

Cambria WMA

Cannon River Turtle Preserve SNA

Carley State Park

Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center

Carver Park Reserve

Cedar Mountain SNA

Chamberlain Woods SNA

Cherry Grove Blind Valley SNA

Clear Lake SNA

Cleary Lake Regional Park

Clinton Falls Dwarf Trout Lily SNA

Cottonwood River Prairie SNA

Crosby Farm Regional Park

Crow-Hassan Park Reserve

Edward Velishek Memorial WMA

Elm Creek Park Reserve

Falls Creek SNA

Flandrau State Park

Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

Fort Ridgely State Park

Franconia Bluffs SNA

Frontenac State Park

Great River Bluffs State Park

Grey Cloud Dunes SNA

Hampton Woods WMA

Hardscrabble Woods / MG Tusler Sanctuary

Hastings Sand Coulee SNA

Hastings SNA

Helen Allison Savanna SNA

Hyland Lake Park Reserve

Iron Horse Prairie SNA

John Murtaugh Memorial WMA

John Peter Hoffman Spring Brook Valley WMA

Kasota Prairie

Kasota Prairie SNA

Keller Regional Park

Lake Byllesby Regional Park

Lake Elmo Park Reserve

Lake Louise State Park

Lake Maria State Park

Lake Rebecca Park Reserve

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Lost Valley Prairie SNA

Maplewood Heights Park

Mary Schmidt Crawford Woods SNA

McKnight Prairie

Minneopa State Park

Minnesota Valley NWR, Black Dog Unit

Minnesota Valley NWR, Long Meadow Lake Unit

Minnesota Valley NWR, Rapids Lake Unit

Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area, Lawrence Unit

Mississippi River County Park

Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve

Myre-Big Island State Park

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Ney Nature Center

North Fork Zumbro Woods SNA

Oronoco Prairie SNA

Ottawa Bluffs

Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo

Pilot Knob

Pin Oak Prairie SNA

Pine Bend Bluffs SNA

Prairie Creek WMA, Koester Prairie Unit

Ritter Farm Park

River Terrace Prairie SNA

River Warren Outcrops SNA

Robert Ney Memorial Park Reserve

Rockville County Park

St. Croix Savanna SNA

Sakatah Lake State Park

Savage Fen SNA

Seminary Fen SNA

Seven Mile Creek County Park

Seven Sisters Prairie

Seven Springs WMA

Sibley State Park

Spring Creek Prairie SNA

Spring Lake Park Reserve

Spring Lake Regional Park

Springbrook Nature Center

Stanley Eddy Memorial Park Reserve

Sunfish Lake Park

Swedes Forest SNA

Tamarack Nature Center

Terrace Oaks West

Thompson County Park

Tiedemann WMA

Townsend Woods SNA

Upper Sioux Agency State Park

Valley View Park

Vermillion Highlands Research Recreation and WMA

Vermillion River WMA

Westwood Hills Nature Center

Whitetail Woods Regional Park

Whitewater State Park

William O’Brien State Park

Wolsfeld Woods SNA

Wood-Rill SNA

Woodbury WMA

Woodland Trails Park

 

 

 

Binoculars

 

Created:

Last Updated:

© MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved.

About Us

Privacy Policy

Contact Us