Male and Female pairs remain with each other throughout the year.It is the state bird of Kentucky where I live and also Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.Northern Cardinals do not migrate, they are found year round in the eastern and central regions of America.Females look for the brighter male (just like humans 😉 ) because their maternal instincts tell them that it is the one that will take good care of their nestlings. The brighter the feathers in the male Cardinal the more healthy it appears to the female. One… their red feathers may fade in the sunlight, Two… the gray tips and edges of their feathers become worn and consequently reveal a more red coloring of the feathers underneath, and Three… their diet may consist of more foods with carotenoids than other males. In addition, some aphids and spider mites carry this too.ĭid you ever notice that some male Cardinals aren’t as bright red as others? It has to do with a few things. It has to do with carotenoids, an organic pigment which is produced by plants and algae, and several types of bacteria and fungi. It is the pigments in berries and other foods that gives them the red color. Cardinals eat insects, spiders, wild fruits, berries and seeds in spring, summer, and fall, and in winter pretty much seeds and berries since insects and spiders aren’t as plentiful. The red coloring in the Cardinal has to do with their diet.
But boy do they look pretty ugly not to mention sickly, when they go through this! It is a necessary process for the health and well being of the bird. This molting is a process that birds go through and for some can be either once or twice a year. With the exception in the Fall after breeding season when they go through a molting process to replace old worn feathers. The Male Cardinal stays red all year through too. Male Cardinals Stay Red All Through The Year She has some red in her tuft and her wing tips and tail, but the rest of her body is a light brownish color. Of course it is the male Cardinal that gets this privilege. They make a dreary day seem more cheerful. You just can’t beat their brilliant red colors that brighten up the dull winter landscape. Mind you, I am definitely not complaining as I absolutely love the Northern Cardinal. Where in the world did they come from? During the rest of the year you see a few here and there around the yard or neighborhood but not in such large quantities. Have you ever wondered where on earth all those Northern Cardinal birds (some people call them redbirds) come from when the temperatures start to freeze and snow is on the ground? On a cold winter day you can look out your frosted window and spot dozens of these beautiful red birds mostly feeding on the ground but also in feeders, and also perched in the nearby trees.
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