Northern Cardinal

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Northern Cardinal
At the Houston Zoo
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cardinalidae
Genus: Cardinalis
Species: C. cardinalis
Binomial name
Cardinalis cardinalis
(Linnaeus, 1758)

The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a member of the cardinal family of birds in North America. The bird's name comes from the red-robed Roman Catholic Cardinals. Its crested head is also said to resemble a bishop's mitre. Cardinals have been also referred to as "redbirds" and "Virginia nightingales". Cardinals were once popular cage birds for their bright color and rich, varied songs.

Contents

[edit] Appearance

The female is physically similar, but lacks the vivid red color of the male.
The female is physically similar, but lacks the vivid red color of the male.

These birds are 14-15 cm (5 and 3/4 inches) long). Males are bright, crimson red with black faces and coral/red beaks. Females are a fawn/light brown color, with mostly grayish-brown tones & slight reddish tint in their wings and tail feathers, also with a bright coral/red beak. Both possess prominent raised crests and strong beaks. Young birds (male & female) are the color of a mother bird until the fall, when they will molt and grow their adult feathers.

Young Northern Cardinal in Minnesota.
Young Northern Cardinal in Minnesota.

[edit] Abundance

Female Northern Cardinal in Massachusetts.
Female Northern Cardinal in Massachusetts.

Cardinals are abundant across the eastern United States from Maine to Texas and in Canada in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Their range extends west to the U.S.-Mexico border and south through Mexico to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, northern Guatemala, and northern Belize. They were introduced to Bermuda in 1700. They have also been introduced in Hawaii, and Southern California. Their natural habitats are woodlands, suburbs, gardens, swamps and thickets.

[edit] Breeding behavior

Cardinals are a territorial song bird. The male sings in a loud, clear whistle from a tree top or other high location to defend his territory. He will chase off other males entering his territory. Mated pairs sometimes sing together before nesting. During courtship they may also participate in a bonding behavior where the male collects food and brings it to the female, feeding her beak-to-beak. If the mating is successful, this mate-feeding may continue throughout the period of incubation.

The female builds a cup nest in a well-concealed spot in dense shrub or a low tree. Both feed the young. Young fledged cardinals resemble adult females in coloring. The male will grow in bright red feathers as he matures and is eventually chased away by his sire.

These birds are permanent residents throughout their range, although they may relocate to avoid extreme weather or if food is scarce.

Cardinals learn their songs, and as a result the songs vary regionally. Cardinals are able to easily distinguish the gender of a singing cardinal by its song alone. Interestingly, however, male cardinals can learn songs from female cardinals, and vice versa, suggesting that differences in song between the sexes may be due to hormonal differences and not learning.

Cardinals have a distinctive alarm call, a short metallic 'chip' sound. In some cases they will also utter a series of chipping notes. It is often easy to locate Cardinals by their alarm call, since they will make it readily when humans walk nearby.

[edit] Symbols and mascots

In the US, the Northern Cardinal is the state bird of North Carolina, West Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia. Nationwide, this species receives special legal protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which also banned their sale as cage birds. In America, the bird is often associated with the Christmas season, appearing on many cards and decorations, due to it being one of the few brightly colored birds seen in the winter months. Against a white snowy background, the beauty of the red male Cardinal stands out almost regally.

The St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball have a mascot, Fredbird, who is an anthropomorphized Northern Cardinal. The major-league team directly lends its name to three of its minor league affiliates—the Springfield Cardinals, Palm Beach Cardinals, and Johnson City Cardinals. A fourth affiliate, the Memphis Redbirds, takes its name from a decades-old alternate nickname for the major-league team. The major-league team had yet another "Cardinals" affiliate, the New Jersey Cardinals, but this team changed its nickname when it moved to State College, Pennsylvania after the 2005 season.

The bird is also the namesake of the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL.

The Pyrrhuloxia is closely related to the Northern Cardinal.
The Pyrrhuloxia is closely related to the Northern Cardinal.
Northern Cardinal on the Island of Kauai, Hawaii.
Northern Cardinal on the Island of Kauai, Hawaii.

Several colleges, mostly in the Midwest, have sports teams named for the cardinal:

Stanford University's nickname, the (singular) Cardinal, is a reference to the color, not the bird.

Many of the cartoon representations of the bird incorrectly depict it with a yellow beak. While the closely related Pyrrhuloxia does indeed have a yellow beak, the beaks of both male and female cardinals are red.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

[edit] Further reading

[edit] Book

  • Halkin, S. L., and S. U. Linville. 1999. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). In The Birds of North America, No. 440 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

[edit] Thesis

  • Burger MF. Ph.D. (1998). Geographic variation in the ecological energetics and physiology of the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) in winter. University of Michigan, United States -- Michigan.
  • Gottfried BM. Ph.D. (1976). INTRAPOPULATIONAL VARIATION IN THE TERRITORY SIZE OF CARDINALS (CARDINALIS CARDINALIS). Miami University, United States -- Ohio.
  • Jarosch CH. M.Sc. (1976). The early plumages and molts of the cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis. The University of Western Ontario (Canada), Canada.
  • Jawor JM. Ph.D. (2002). Multiple ornaments and sexual selection in a socially monogamous passerine, the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). The University of Dayton, United States -- Ohio.
  • Linville SU. Ph.D. (1997). Sexual selection and plumage ornamentation in a socially monogamous passerine, the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). The University of Dayton, United States -- Ohio.
  • Marshall JS. Ph.D. (2006). West Nile virus in northern cardinals: Antibody patterns and fitness consequences. The Ohio State University, United States -- Ohio.
  • Merritt RE. Ph.D. (1975). THE SPATIAL RELATIONS WITHIN A SELECTED POPULATION OF THE CARDINAL (CARDINALIS CARDINALIS). The University of Tennessee, United States -- Tennessee.
  • Mobley JE, Jr. Ph.D. (1994). A general model for iteroparity: Development of the model and investigation of phylogenetic patterns with specific reference to the northern cardinal. University of Arkansas, United States -- Arkansas.
  • Vondrasek JR. Ph.D. (2003). The evolution of communication and territoriality in the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States -- North Carolina.
  • Wolfenbarger LL. Ph.D. (1996). Fitness effects associated with red coloration of male northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis). Cornell University, United States -- New York.

[edit] Articles

  • Anderson ME & Conner RN. (1985). Northern Cardinal Song in Three Forest Habitats in Eastern Texas USA. Wilson Bulletin. vol 97, no 4. p. 436-449.
  • Baker DG, Speer CA, Yamaguchi A, Griffey SM & Dubey JP. (1996). An unusual coccidian parasite causing pneumonia in a northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). Journal of Wildlife Diseases. vol 32, no 1. p. 130-132.
  • Bass RA. (1979). Chromosomal Polymorphism in Cardinals Cardinalis-Cardinalis. Canadian Journal of Genetics & Cytology. vol 21, no 4. p. 549-553.
  • Breitwisch R, Schilling AJ & Banks JB. (1999). Parental behavior of a bigamous male Northern Cardinal. Wilson Bulletin. vol 111, no 2. p. 283-286.
  • Browning NG, Dayton AD & Robel RJ. (1981). Comparative Preferences of Field Sparrows and Spizella-Pusilla and Cardinals Cardinalis-Cardinalis among 4 Propagated Seeds. Journal of Wildlife Management. vol 45, no 2. p. 528-533.
  • Browning NG & Robel RJ. (1981). Metabolizable Energy in 4 Seeds Fed to Cardinals Cardinalis-Cardinalis. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science. vol 84, no 2. p. 115-118.
  • Carpenter TW & Carpenter AL. (1987). Northern Cardinal Head Attached to the Toe of a Sharp-Shinned Hawk. Journal of Raptor Research. vol 21, no 4.
  • Conner RN, Anderson ME & Dickson JG. (1986). Relationships among Territory Size Habitat Song and Nesting Success of Northern Cardinals Cardinalis-Cardinalis. Auk. vol 103, no 1. p. 23-31.
  • Eckerle KP & Breitwisch R. (1997). Reproductive success of the northern cardinal, a large host of brown-headed cowbirds. Condor. vol 99, no 1. p. 169-178.
  • Ehrhart RL & Conner RN. (1986). Habitat Selection by the Northern Cardinal in Three Eastern Texas USA Forest Stands. Southwestern Naturalist. vol 31, no 2. p. 191-200.
  • Filliater TS & Breitwisch R. (1997). Nestling provisioning by the extremely dichromatic northern cardinal. Wilson Bulletin. vol 109, no 1. p. 145-153.
  • Filliater TS, Breitwisch R & Nealen PM. (1994). Predation on Northern Cardinal nests: Does choice of nest site matter?. Condor. vol 96, no 3. p. 761-768.
  • Gottfried BM & Gottfried AH. (1978). Preliminary Studies of the Vocal Responses of Territorial Cardinals Cardinalis-Cardinalis to Songs of a Strange Male. Ohio Journal of Science. vol 78, no 2. p. 85-87.
  • Grubb TC, Jr., Waite TA & Wiseman AJ. (1991). Ptilochronology: Induced Feather Growth in Northern Cardinals Varies with Age, Sex, Ambient Temperature, and Day Length. The Wilson Bulletin. vol 103, no 3. p. 435.
  • Halkin SL. (1997). Nest-vicinity song exchanges may coordinate biparental care of northern cardinals. Animal Behaviour. vol 54, p. 189.
  • Ingold JJ & Ingold DA. (1987). Loggerhead Shrike Kills and Transports a Northern Cardinal. Journal of Field Ornithology. vol 58, no 1. p. 66-68.
  • Ivey NT. (1999). American Robins hatch from Northern Cardinal nest. Oriole. vol 64, no 3-4. p. 56-57.
  • Jawor JM. (2007). Testosterone in Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis): Possible influence of prolonged territorial behavior. Auk. vol 124, no 1. p. 331-338.
  • Jawor JM & Breitwisch R. (2004). Multiple ornaments in male northern cardinals, Cardinalis cardinalis, as indicators of condition. Ethology. vol 110, no 2. p. 113-126.
  • Jawor JM & Breitwisch R. (2006). Is mate provisioning predicted by ornamentation? A test with northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis). Ethology. vol 112, no 9. p. 888-895.
  • Jawor JM & Gray N. (2003). Use of Northern Cardinal nest by fledgling Carolina Wrens. Wilson Bulletin. vol 115, no 1. p. 95-96.
  • Jawor JM, Gray N, Beall SM & Breitwisch R. (2004). Multiple ornaments correlate with aspects of condition and behaviour in female northern cardinals, Cardinalis cardinalis. Animal Behaviour. vol 67, no Part 5. p. 875-882.
  • Jawor JM, Linville SU, Beall SM & Breitwisch R. (2003). Assortative mating by multiple ornaments in northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis). Behavioral Ecology. vol 4, no 14. p. 515-520.
  • Jodie MJ & Randall B. (2003). A Unique Ornament Display in Female Northern Cardinals. The Wilson Bulletin. vol 115, no 4. p. 464.
  • Kloek G. (1970). The Migratory Status of the Cardinal Richmondena-Cardinalis-Cardinalis in the Vicinity of Carbondale Illinois. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science. vol 63, no 2. p. 160-166.
  • Lading ND. (2003). Interactions between the Northern Cardinal and the brood parasitic Brown-headed Cowbird. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science. vol 96, no Supplement.
  • Lemon RE. (1975). Repetitions and Pattern Switches in Songs of Cardinals Cardinalis-Cardinalis. Zeitschrift fuer Tierpsychologie. vol 38, no 3. p. 294-303.
  • Linville SU, Breitwisch R & Schilling AJ. (1998). Plumage brightness as an indicator of parental care in northern cardinals. Animal Behaviour. vol 55, p. 119.
  • Maul JD & Farris JL. (2005). Monitoring exposure of northern cardinals, Cardinalis cardinalis, to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides: Enzyme activity, reactivations, and indicators of environmental stress. Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry. vol 24, no 7. p. 1721-1730.
  • McElroy DB & Ritchison G. (1996). Effect of mate removal on singing behavior and movement patterns of female northern cardinals. The Wilson Bulletin. vol 108, no 3. p. 550.
  • McGraw KJ & Hill GE. (2001). Carotenoid access and intraspecific variation in plumage pigmentation in male American Goldfinches (Carduelis tristis) and Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis). Functional Ecology. vol 15, no 6. p. 732-739.
  • McGraw KJ, Hill GE, Stradi R & Parker RS. (2001). The influence of carotenoid acquisition and utilization on the maintenance of species-typical plumage pigmentation in male American goldfinches (Carduelis tristis) and northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis). Physiological & Biochemical Zoology. vol 74, no 6. p. 843-852.
  • Nealen PM & Breitwisch R. (1997). Northern cardinal sexes defend nests equally. Wilson Bulletin. vol 109, no 2. p. 269-278.
  • Ritchison G. (1986). The Singing Behavior of Female Northern Cardinals Cardinalis-Cardinalis. Condor. vol 88, no 2. p. 156-159.
  • Ritchison G, Klatt PH & Westneat DF. (1994). Mate guarding and extra-pair paternity in northern cardinals. The Condor. vol 96, no 4. p. 1055.
  • Ritchison G & Omer MK. (1990). Winter Behavior of Northern Cardinals Cardinalis-Cardinalis. Transactions of the Kentucky Academy of Science. vol 51, no 3-4. p. 145-158.
  • Scott DM & Lemon RE. (1996). Differential reproductive success of Brown-headed Cowbirds with Northern Cardinals and three other hosts. The Condor. vol 98, no 2. p. 259.
  • Short LL. (1969). A New Species of Blackbird Agelaius from Peru Agelaius-Xanthopthalmus New Species Cardinalis-Cardinalis Agelaius-Cyanopus Agelaius-Thilius. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Zoology Louisiana State University. vol 36, p. 1-8.
  • Speer CA, Baker DG, Yamaguchi A & Dubey JP. (1997). Ultrastructural characteristics of a Lankesterella-like coccidian causing pneumonia in a Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). Acta Protozoologica. vol 36, no 1. p. 39-47.
  • Susan UL & Randall B. (1997). Carotenoid availability and plumage coloration in a wild population of Northern Cardinals. The Auk. vol 114, no 4. p. 796.
  • Vondrasek JR. (2006). Social factors affect the singing rates of female northern cardinals Cardinalis cardinalis. Journal of Avian Biology. vol 37, no 1. p. 52-57.
  • William JD & Peter AB. (2006). Singing in the shade: song and song posts of northern cardinals near nesting Cooper's hawks. Canadian Journal of Zoology. vol 84, no 6. p. 916.
  • Winter KC. (1981). Interactions between Nesting Cardinals Cardinalis-Cardinalis and American Robins Turdus-Migratorius. Inland Bird Banding. vol 53, no 3. p. 56-57.
  • Wolf W. (1972). Report on a Cross Breeding of Cardinalis-Cardinalis and Paroaria-Coronata. Gefiederte Welt. vol 96, no 11. p. 204-205.
  • Wolfenbarger LL. (1999). Female mate choice in Northern Cardinals: Is there a preference for redder males?. The Wilson Bulletin. vol 111, no 1. p. 76.
  • Wolfenbarger LL. (1999). Is red coloration of male Northern Cardinals beneficial during the nonbreeding season?: A test of status signaling. The Condor. vol 101, no 3. p. 655.
  • Wolfenbarger LL. (1999). Red coloration of male northern cardinals correlates with mate quality and territory quality. Behavioral Ecology. vol 10, no 1. p. 80.
  • Yamaguchi A. (1998). A sexually dimorphic learned birdsong in the Northern Cardinal. Condor. vol 100, no 3. p. 504-511.
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