Description Northern Cardinals are about 7.75 inches in length with a tail which is half the size of its body! They have large conical bills and are known for the crest on top of their head. The adult male is bright red body and tail and is dullest on its back and wings. The male has a red bill with black around the base. The adult female has a reddish crest and wings, a brownish-gray body and red bill. Juveniles look like the females but have dark bills and crests.

Lifecycle Males sing to claim their breeding territory, which can be from 2-3 acres, and may attack other males who come too close. The breeding territory is usually about 2 to 3 acres. The males try to attract the attention of a female by spreading and quivering his wings and lowering his tail. Cardinals are generally monogamous which means they pair for the whole year. They breed between March and September and may raise 2 broods a year. The female builds the open cup nest from vines and twigs and lines it with grass. The nest is 2 to 10 feet off the ground usually in a thick hedge. The female lays 1- 5 white to greenish eggs and solely incubates them for up to 13 days while the male brings her food to eat. The female will brood the hatchlings for 2 days after which the male helps to feed the chicks for 25-56 days after they fledge from the nest.

Habitat The cardinal can be found in lowland and exotic forests, coastal scrub, parks, gardens and urban areas.

Diet Cardinals eat weed seeds, grains, insects and fruits. They feed their young exclusively insects.

Communication Both male and female cardinals sing loud whistled phrases. Songs are usually to defend territories or court mates.