The Northern Cardinal
One Feather at a Time — Ep. 2
The Northern Cardinal is one of the most recognizable songbirds in eastern and southern Canada. Males are bright red with a black facial mask around the bill. Females have softer coloring—mostly pale brown with red tinges on the wings, crest, and tail. Both sexes have a prominent crest and a short, thick orange-red bill.
Northern Cardinal feeding in winter
Cardinals are non-migratory and stay in their territories throughout the year. They’re commonly found in gardens, thickets, forest edges, and urban parks, especially in Ontario and Quebec. Their presence is easy to spot, even in winter, thanks to their vivid coloring and frequent vocalizations.
The song is a clear, whistled tune that varies between individuals but often sounds like “cheer-cheer-cheer” or “birdie-birdie-birdie.” Males sing often during spring and summer to defend territory and communicate with mates.
Northern Cardinals measure about 8 to 9 inches (20–23 cm) long, with a wingspan of roughly 10 to 12 inches (25–30 cm). Their strong bills are adapted for cracking seeds, though they also eat fruit and insects.
Despite being widespread, cardinals stand out. Their coloring makes them easy to identify, and their bold song adds to their visibility in most habitats. This makes them an early and reliable addition to any Canadian birding list.
