Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a vibrant songbird renowned for its striking red plumage and melodic songs, commonly found in the parks and forests of Montreal. This species is easily recognizable, with males displaying a brilliant red color, while females exhibit a more subdued brownish hue with hints of red, making them a delightful sight for birdwatchers year-round.
| 🇫🇷 | Cardinal rouge |
| 🇩🇪 | Rotkardinal, Rote Kardinal |
| 🇲🇽 | Cardenal norteño, Cardenal rojo |
| Taxonomy | |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Cardinalidae |
How to Identify
Both males and females are easily identifiable. The male is completely red, while the female is brownish, with a light brown, almost yellow breast, and a darker, almost olive back, with partially red wings. Both have a black mask around their reddish beak.
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Characteristics
| Length | 21–23.5cm |
| Weight | 33.6–65g |
| Wingspan | 25–31cm |
| Clutch Size | 2-5 eggs |
| Incubation | 11-13 days |
| Fledging | 7-13 days |
| Sexual Maturity | 1 year |
Resources
Where and When to Spot
There is no park where I haven’t seen Northern Cardinals. Early in the morning, the male reveals himself by perching on a branch and singing his song. Due to his intense red color, he is easy to spot. The female may not be far away, often hidden in the bushes at lower ground.
Observation Records by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jardin Botanique de Montréal | x | x | - | x |
| Parc Angrignon | x | x | - | x |
| Parc Bernard-Landry | x | - | x | - |
| Parc Michel-Chartrand | x | - | - | x |
| Parc Mont Saint-Bruno | - | x | - | - |
| Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies | x | - | - | x |
| Parc de la Frayère | x | x | x | - |
| Parc des Rapides | x | - | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.