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==Taxonomy== |
==Taxonomy== |
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The Northern Cardinal is one of three birds in the [[genus]] [[Cardinalis]], and is included in the family [[Cardinalidae]], which is made up of [[passerine]] [[bird]]s found in [[North America|North]] and [[South America]]. |
The Northern Cardinal is one of three birds in the [[genus]] [[Cardinalis]], and is included in the family [[Cardinalidae]], which is made up of [[passerine]] [[bird]]s found in [[North America|North]] and [[South America]]. |
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The Northern Cardinal was one of the many species originally described by [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]] in his 18th century work, ''[[Systema Naturae]]''.<ref>{{la icon}} {{cite book | last=Linnaeus | first=C | authorlink=Carolus Linnaeus | title=Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata. | publisher=Holmiae. (Laurentii Salvii). | date=1758| pages=824 | url=http://dz1.gdz-cms.de/index.php?id=img&no_cache=1&IDDOC=265100}}</ref> It was initially included in the [[genus]] ''[[Loxia]]'', which contains crossbills. In 1838, it was placed in the genus Cardinalis and given the scientific name ''Cardinalis virginianus'', which means "Virginia Cardinal". In |
The Northern Cardinal was one of the many species originally described by [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]] in his 18th century work, ''[[Systema Naturae]]''.<ref>{{la icon}} {{cite book | last=Linnaeus | first=C | authorlink=Carolus Linnaeus | title=Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata. | publisher=Holmiae. (Laurentii Salvii). | date=1758| pages=824 | url=http://dz1.gdz-cms.de/index.php?id=img&no_cache=1&IDDOC=265100}}</ref> It was initially included in the [[genus]] ''[[Loxia]]'', which contains crossbills. In 1838, it was placed in the genus Cardinalis and given the scientific name ''Cardinalis virginianus'', which means "Virginia Cardinal". In 1918, the scientific name was changed to Richmondena cardinalis in honor Charles Wallace Richmond, an American ornithologist.<ref>{{cite book |
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| last =Bailey |
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| first =Florence Merriam |
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| title =Handbook of Birds of the Western United States |
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| publisher =Houghton Mifflin |
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| date =1921 |
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| pages =500 |
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| url = http://books.google.com/books?id=6w0LAAAAIAAJ&dq=}}</ref>In 1983, the scientific name was changed to ''Cardinalis cardinalis'' and the common name was changed to "Northern Cardinal", to avoid confusion with the seven other species also termed cardinals.<ref name ="Ritchison"/> |
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The common name, as well as the scientific name, of the cardinal, ''cardinalis'' refer to the [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinals]] of the [[Roman Catholic Church]], who wear distinctive red robes and caps.<ref name |
The common name, as well as the scientific name, of the cardinal, ''cardinalis'' refer to the [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinals]] of the [[Roman Catholic Church]], who wear distinctive red robes and caps.<ref name= "Holloway">{{cite book |
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| last =Holloway |
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| first =Joel Ellis |
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| title =Dictionary of Birds of the United States: Scientific and Common Names |
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| publisher =Timber Press |
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| date =2003 |
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| pages =59 |
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| url = http://books.google.com/books?id=41knpiVqnKYC&pg=PA59&dq=Cathartes+aura+subject:%22Nature+/+Birds+%26+Birdwatching%22&as_brr=3&sig=YS_oepqlw59T9RxDny5KFtPliSQ |
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| isbn =0881926000}}</ref> The term "Northern" in the common name refers to its range, as it is the only cardinal found in the [[Northern Hemisphere]].<ref name= "Holloway"/> |
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There are five subspecies:<ref name="AOU">{{cite journal |
There are five subspecies:<ref name="AOU">{{cite journal |
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Mated pairs sometimes sing together before nesting. During courtship they may also participate in a bonding behavior where the male collects food and brings it to the female, feeding her beak-to-beak. If the mating is successful, this mate-feeding may continue throughout the period of incubation. |
Mated pairs sometimes sing together before nesting. During courtship they may also participate in a bonding behavior where the male collects food and brings it to the female, feeding her beak-to-beak. If the mating is successful, this mate-feeding may continue throughout the period of incubation. |
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The female builds a cup nest in a well-concealed spot in dense shrub or a low tree |
The female builds a cup nest in a well-concealed spot in dense shrub or a low tree three to ten feet off the ground. The nest is made of thin twigs, bark strips, and grasses, lined with grasses or other plant fibers.<ref name="Davie"/> The eggs are white, with a tint of green, blue or brown, and are are marked with lavender, gray, or brown blotches which are thicker around the larger end.<ref name="Davie">{{cite book |
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| last =Davie |
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| first =Oliver |
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| title =Nests and Eggs of North American Birds |
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| publisher =D. McKay |
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| date =1900 |
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| pages =399-400 |
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| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=vCocAAAAMAAJ&dq=}}</ref> Three or four eggs are laid in each clutch. Eggs measure approximately 1 x .75 inches in size.<ref name="Davie"/> Both parents feed the young. Young fledged cardinals resemble adult females in coloring. The male will grow in bright red feathers as he matures and is eventually chased away by his sire. |
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==Relationship with humans== |
==Relationship with humans== |
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The American Goldfinch is found in residential areas throughout its range. Backyard [[Birdwatching|birders]] attract it using feeders containing seeds, particularly sunflower seed. Although some controversy surrounds [[bird feeding]] (see [[bird feeder]] for details), an increase in backyard feeding by humans has generally been beneficial to this species. |
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In the US, the Northern Cardinal is the [[List of U.S. state birds|state bird]] of [[North Carolina]], [[West Virginia]], [[Ohio]], [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], [[Kentucky]], and [[Virginia]]. It is the state bird of more states than any other species. Nationwide, this species receives special legal protections under the [[Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918]], which also banned their sale as cage birds. In America, the bird is often associated with the [[Christmas]] season, appearing on many [[Christmas card|cards]] and decorations, due to it being one of the few brightly colored birds seen in the winter months. |
In the US, the Northern Cardinal is the [[List of U.S. state birds|state bird]] of [[North Carolina]], [[West Virginia]], [[Ohio]], [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], [[Kentucky]], and [[Virginia]]. It is the state bird of more states than any other species. Nationwide, this species receives special legal protections under the [[Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918]], which also banned their sale as cage birds. In America, the bird is often associated with the [[Christmas]] season, appearing on many [[Christmas card|cards]] and decorations, due to it being one of the few brightly colored birds seen in the winter months. |
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Revision as of 19:36, 6 November 2007
| Northern Cardinal | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | C. cardinalis
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| Binomial name | |
| Cardinalis cardinalis | |
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The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a member of the cardinal family of birds in North America. The bird's name comes from the red-robed Roman Catholic Cardinals. Its crested head is also said to resemble a bishop's mitre. Cardinals have been also referred to as "Redbirds" and "Virginia nightingales". Cardinals were once popular cage birds for their bright color and rich, varied songs.
Taxonomy
The Northern Cardinal is one of three birds in the genus Cardinalis, and is included in the family Cardinalidae, which is made up of passerine birds found in North and South America. The Northern Cardinal was one of the many species originally described by Linnaeus in his 18th century work, Systema Naturae.[1] It was initially included in the genus Loxia, which contains crossbills. In 1838, it was placed in the genus Cardinalis and given the scientific name Cardinalis virginianus, which means "Virginia Cardinal". In 1918, the scientific name was changed to Richmondena cardinalis in honor Charles Wallace Richmond, an American ornithologist.[2]In 1983, the scientific name was changed to Cardinalis cardinalis and the common name was changed to "Northern Cardinal", to avoid confusion with the seven other species also termed cardinals.[3]
The common name, as well as the scientific name, of the cardinal, cardinalis refer to the Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church, who wear distinctive red robes and caps.[4] The term "Northern" in the common name refers to its range, as it is the only cardinal found in the Northern Hemisphere.[4]
There are five subspecies:[5]
- C. c. cardinalis is the nominate subspecies.
- C. c. superbus, the Arizona Cardinal, was named by Ridgway in 1885. Its range is southern Arizona and parts of the Sonora.[5]
- C. c. floridanus, the Florida Cardinal, was named by Ridgway in 1896. Its range is Florida.[5]
- C. c. canicaudus, the Gray-tailed Cardinal, was named by Chapman in 1891. Its range is central and southwestern Texas to Puebla in central Mexico.[5]
- C. c. igneus, the San Lucas Cardinal, was named by Baird in 1859. Its range is the Cape Region of northern California.[5]
Description
The Northern Cardinal is a mid-sized songbird with a body length of 8.3 to 9 inches (21-23 cm) and a wingspan of 10-12 in (25-31 cm). It weighs about 1.6 ounces (45 g). Males are slightly larger than females.[6] The male is a brilliant crimson red with a black face mask over the eyes and extending to the upper chest. Females are a fawn color, with mostly grayish-brown tones and a slight reddish tint in the wings and tail feathers. The face mask of the female is gray to black, and is less defined than that of the male. Both sexes possess prominent raised crests and strong bright coral-colored beaks. Young birds, both male and female, show the coloring similar to the adult female until the fall, when they molt and grow adult feathers.[7] They are brown above and red-brown below, with brick colored crest, forehead, wings, and tail.[3]
The legs and feet are a dark pink-brown. The iris of the eye is brown.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Cardinals are abundant across the eastern United States from Maine to Texas and in Canada in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Their range extends west to the U.S.-Mexico border and south through Mexico to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, northern Guatemala, and northern Belize. They were introduced to Bermuda in 1700. They have also been introduced in Hawaii, and Southern California. Their natural habitats are woodlands, suburbs, gardens, swamps and thickets.
These birds are permanent residents throughout their range, although they may relocate to avoid extreme weather or if food is scarce.
Behavior
Cardinals are a territorial song bird. The male sings in a loud, clear whistle from a tree top or other high location to defend his territory. He will chase off other males entering his territory. Cardinals learn their songs, and as a result the songs vary regionally. Cardinals are able to easily distinguish the gender of a singing cardinal by its song alone. Interestingly, however, male cardinals can learn songs from female cardinals, and vice versa, suggesting that differences in song between the sexes may be due to hormonal differences.
Cardinals have a distinctive alarm call, a short metallic 'chip' sound. This call often is given when predators approach the nest, in order to give warning to the female and nestlings.[3] In some cases they will also utter a series of chipping notes. The frequency and volume of these notes increases as the threat becomes greater.[3]
Diet
Northern Cardinals' diet consists mainly (up to 90 percent) of weed seeds, grains, and fruits. During the summer months, they show preference for seeds that are easily husked, but are less selective during winter, when food is scarce. Northern Cardinals also will consume insects, and feed their young almost exclusively on insects.[8]
Reproduction
Mated pairs sometimes sing together before nesting. During courtship they may also participate in a bonding behavior where the male collects food and brings it to the female, feeding her beak-to-beak. If the mating is successful, this mate-feeding may continue throughout the period of incubation.
The female builds a cup nest in a well-concealed spot in dense shrub or a low tree three to ten feet off the ground. The nest is made of thin twigs, bark strips, and grasses, lined with grasses or other plant fibers.[9] The eggs are white, with a tint of green, blue or brown, and are are marked with lavender, gray, or brown blotches which are thicker around the larger end.[9] Three or four eggs are laid in each clutch. Eggs measure approximately 1 x .75 inches in size.[9] Both parents feed the young. Young fledged cardinals resemble adult females in coloring. The male will grow in bright red feathers as he matures and is eventually chased away by his sire.
Relationship with humans
The American Goldfinch is found in residential areas throughout its range. Backyard birders attract it using feeders containing seeds, particularly sunflower seed. Although some controversy surrounds bird feeding (see bird feeder for details), an increase in backyard feeding by humans has generally been beneficial to this species.
In the US, the Northern Cardinal is the state bird of North Carolina, West Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia. It is the state bird of more states than any other species. Nationwide, this species receives special legal protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which also banned their sale as cage birds. In America, the bird is often associated with the Christmas season, appearing on many cards and decorations, due to it being one of the few brightly colored birds seen in the winter months.
Footnotes
- ^ Template:La icon Linnaeus, C (1758). Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata. Holmiae. (Laurentii Salvii). p. 824.
- ^ Bailey, Florence Merriam (1921). Handbook of Birds of the Western United States. Houghton Mifflin. p. 500.
- ^ a b c d e Ritchison, Gary (1997). Northern Cardinal. Stackpole Books. p. 2. ISBN 0811731006.
- ^ a b Holloway, Joel Ellis (2003). Dictionary of Birds of the United States: Scientific and Common Names. Timber Press. p. 59. ISBN 0881926000.
- ^ a b c d e "Check-list of North American Birds". American Ornithologists' Union. 1910: 282.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Dewey, T. (2002). "Cardinalis cardinalis". University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Retrieved 2007-08-24.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "Cardinalis cardinalis". Cornell University. Retrieved 2007-08-24.
- ^ Cardinalis cardinalis: Information Animal Diversity
- ^ a b c Davie, Oliver (1900). Nests and Eggs of North American Birds. D. McKay. pp. 399–400.
External links
- birding.com article on the Northern Cardinal
- Article on Cardinal's Songs
- Northern Cardinal videos on the Internet Bird Collection
- Stamps
- Northern Cardinal Information and Photos - South Dakota Birds and Birding
- Northern Cardinal Species Account - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis - USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter
- Northern Cardinal photo gallery VIREO