Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis Cardinalis

Of all the birds that nest in Missouri, Northern Cardinals may be the best known. They can be found in nearly every hedge, thicket or berry patch during the summer whether in rural areas, towns or suburbs. They sing from early February through August. Males whistle from the tops of saplings, and often, big trees.

Code Frequency

Northern Cardinals were observed in 1,200 blocks, more than any other species. Easy to find, observe and to confirm, Atlasers used all but the physiological evidence code to record cardinals in blocks. Twenty-two percent of all observations recorded nests with Eggs: or young. Fifty-one percent of all records were confirmed, with 61 percent of these due to observations of fledglings or fledglings being fed.

Distribution

Northern Cardinals were distributed statewide. No regional difference in distribution was perceived, suggesting nesting habitat was available throughout the state.

Average Number of Birds / 100 stops

Abundance

Cardinals were most abundant in the Ozark Border Natural Division as stated by Robbins and Easterla (1992). This is due to the abundance of appropriate habitat in that region. In the Glaciated Plains and Mississippi Lowlands natural divisions, this species was common, occurring at about 50 percent of stops.

Phenology

Courtship behavior and territoriality codes were first recorded when safe dates allowed, although these behaviors began in early to mid-February. Northern Cardinals obviously begin nesting early. Although Northern Cardinals usually produce two broods, Ehrlich et al. (1988) reported a potential for three and four broods.

Notes

With 40 reports of brood parasitism, Northern Cardinals were the most-frequently reported host of Brown-headed Cowbirds during the Atlas Project. Of 267 records for cardinals of food carried to young, nest and eggs, and nest with young, 15 percent involved Brown-headed Cowbirds. Ehrlich et al. (1988) stated that Northern Cardinals are common cowbird hosts, especially in the central portion of their range.

Breeding Evidence

Reported in 1,200 (99.4%) of 1,207 blocks

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