northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION

• Length: 7.75 inches

• Large, conical bill

• Crest

• Long tail

Adult male:

• Bright red plumage, dullest on back and wings

• Black around base of bill

• Red bill

Adult female:

• Reddish crest, wings and tail

• Brownish-gray upperparts

• Buffy underparts

• Red bill

• Juvenile like adult female but has dark bill and crest

Similar species:

The male northern cardinal is unmistakeable. Females and juveniles are
similar to pyrrhuloxia but pyrrhuloxia has a yellow bill with a curved
culmen and is grayer, less brown.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Permanent resident
Breeding Habitat: Successional-scrub
Nest Location: Ground-low nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 2-5
Length of Incubation: 12-13 days
Days to Fledge: 9-10
Number of Broods: 2, 3, occasionally 4
Diet: Mostly seeds and fruit; lesser quantities of insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
      Su - Summer: June, July, August C
      Fall: September, October, November C

      Winter: December, January, February C

 

 

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