Bird photos by Carbon Gull
RED
OUTDOOR LIVING Red seems to be the color of Valentine’s Day. Red is seen in nature in February as the male Northern Cardinal (cardinalis cardinalis) flits from tree to snow covered tree. Let’s get to know this popular bird a little better! • Male cardinals are red. Female cardinals are pale brown, with hints of red in the wings, tail, and crest. This helps them blend in better while nesting. Both have a black face and orange beak. • Cardinals became Indiana’s state bird in 1933. It is also the state bird of several other states. • You can often find cardinals foraging on the ground and hop on low branches; however, they can also be found perched higher up as they sing and preen. • Cardinals are non-migratory. They stay in the same area year round. They can be found throughout the eastern and southern United States. • Cardinals often travel in pairs, though may be in flocks to forage in the fall and winter. • The cardinal’s crest will be raised when distressed or on alert; however, the crest lowers when the bird is at rest. • Cardinals mostly eat seeds and fruit. They feed their nestlings insects, as many birds do. • Attract cardinals to your bird feeders with black oil sunflower seeds, which attract many types of birds. They make frequent visits to bird feeders in the winter.
Northern cardinal eggs are brown or gray speckled with a white, gray or greenish hue. • Cardinals can often be found in backyards. They like dense shrubs, such as forest edges, landscaping, and undergrowth. • A pair of cardinals work together to find a good nesting site. The male often supplies nesting materials as the female builds. They prefer to nest in dense shrubs and vines, constructing layers of twigs, leaves, grapevine bark, and then grasses and pine needles. The nests are usually used once. • Cardinals have 1-2 broods a season, with 2-5 eggs per clutch. • Pairs often stay together at least through winter and often into the next mating season. Read more about cardinals at allaboutbirds.org. Watch for a flash of red in your backyard this February! Dr. Carla Gull blogs at www.insideoutsidemichiana.com and podcasts as Loose Parts Nature Play. She is often seen with her four tag-along explorers in the greater Michiana area.
A female cardinal eats black oiled sunflower seeds at the feeder. 6 inMiddlebury Magazine | FEBRUARY 2021
Carsten Gull (age 8) drew a picture of our state bird.
