Bird Gallery Index

Northern Cardinal (male) image © Alan Murphy

Family: (Cardinalidae) Cardinals and Allies

Preferred Habitat: Woodlands and suburban gardens. Breeds in our area.

Seasonal Occurrence: Abundant throughout the year.

Notes: The Northern Cardinal is one of our most easily recognized birds. It readily comes to feeders for sunflower seeds and adapts easily to backyard habitats. Besides seeds, cardinals also forage on berries, such as lantana and beautyberry. A dense shrub provides nesting habitat. Adult female cardinals are tawny brown with red beaks; immatures are similar to adult females but have dark bills. The cardinal song is a clear whistled cheer,cheer, cheer, with many variations. Cardinals aggressively defend their territory. The Houston Audubon Society often receives calls from anxious Houstonians, worried about cardinals attacking their house windows. The cardinals are seeing their reflection and trying to ward off an imaginary rival. Closing curtains or blinds is the best way to prevent such behavior.
- Susan Billetdeaux

Northern Cardinal (female) image © Greg Lavaty