North Louisiana Wildlife
Male cardinal on a tree that is beginning to bloom again after winter

Did you know that male northern cardinals will turn a dull red or even brown during a shortage of food?

northern cardinals
at
a Glance

Female cardinal looking out from her perch on a vine

Key Features:

Male cardinals are bright red with red beaks. They have black masks around their eyes and throats. They have reddish-gray feet. Females are brown with orange beaks and black-gray feet. Female cardinals also have black masks around their eyes and throats.

Least Concern - Population Stable

Habitat:

Forests and grasslands

nesting habits:

Northern cardinals lay eggs up to five times a year in spring and summer. They build nests in dense vegetation made of bark, grass, hair, leaves, rootlets, twigs, and weeds.

seasons northern cardinals are active in our area:

All year

Diet:

Fruits, grains, sunflower seeds, weeds, and insects

hunting Behavior:

Northern cardinals forage during the day in trees and on the ground.

commonly confused with:

Summer tanagers

Male cardinals, one in flight as one lands on a bush

Male northern cardinals are often confused with male summer tanagers due to both being bright red birds.

Male cardinal on a tree that is beginning to bloom again after winter

Male northern cardinals have the black masks around their eyes and throats.  Male summer tanagers are solid red birds.

See northern cardinals @

error: Content is protected !!
Skip to content