Welcome to the Cardinal Quiz: Test What You Know Cardinals are one of the most iconic bird species in North America, known for their vibrant red plumage and distinct crest. In addition to seeds and fruit, cardinals also eat insects and spiders. Considering the distribution of the three species, it's clear why ours is called the northern cardinal. Cardinals are known to be monogamous and mate for life. There are two other species in genus Cardinalis: the pyrrhuloxia (peer-oo-LOX-ee-ah), a grayish bird with red highlights, which lives in the desert Southwest, and the vermilion cardinal, which lives in Colombia and Venezuela. These are the same pigments that color carrots, apricots, daffodils, egg yolks, and so on, and produce the oranges and yellows of fall leaves. Indeed, nearly all red, pink, orange, and yellow birds - from tanagers and orioles to flamingos and goldfinches - must eat foods that contain this pigment, or else their feathers will look pale. To develop and maintain their bright color, cardinals need pigment chemicals called carotenoids in their diet. Eggs and nestlings are commonly eaten by snakes, blue jays, and squirrels.Ĭardinals and other birds that eat seeds and fruits play an important role in helping to disperse seeds, which can pass through the bird’s digestive system intact some distance from the parent plant. Fledglings are often killed by domestic cats. Falcons, hawks, owls, and other raptors can capture adults. Many predators eat cardinals and their eggs and young. Theres no sign of damage, no broken eggs, no broken or disturbed branches. Yesterday, however, the female AND the eggs disappeared. That Eurasian bird, mentioned in countless Old World poems and songs, is unrelated to the cardinal. Re cardinal nesting habits: we had a cardinal nest in an arbovitae bush next to the house noticed it last week, and all seemed well. (Source: Audubon Society) The color of cardinal eggs can vary, but they are typically light blue to greenish-blue with brown, gray, or lavender speckles. The northern cardinal is the official bird of seven states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.Īn old-fashioned common name for this species was "Virginia nightingale." Apparently American settlers considered its music comparable to that of the sweet-singing common nightingale they'd known in the Old World. 10 Facts About Cardinal Eggs Cardinal eggs are typically 0.8-1.0 inches (2-2.5 cm) long and 0.6-0.7 inches (1.5-1.8 cm) wide, with a pointed end. They commonly appear in backyards, and they're a favorite among beginning bird watchers.īoth common and scientific names reflect the fact that this bird was named for the red robes and caps worn by Roman Catholic cardinals. It’s no wonder this common, conspicuous bird is so popular: the males are a beautiful bright red, with a dashing crest and a spiffy black mask - and they are excellent singers. Louis area, where it has been the mascot of that city’s professional baseball team since 1900. Usually, they lay eggs between March and September, and these birdies can lay eggs twice or thrice during this period. At one time, Missouri had two professional sports teams named after the northern cardinal. The northern cardinal is the mascot of many sports organizations.
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