Tag Archives: cardinal

Field Notes, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

A Northern Cardinal at Cape Fear Shiners Park in Lillington NC


it’s good to be a birder, no matter the season. There are so many gifts in store for you throughout the year and you need only to step outside to receive them.



Get out there, and take it all in no matter the weather!
It’s easy look out our window, glance at the storm laden clouds above and take note of the raindrops traced path on the window pane.
Staying inside means certain comfort.
Yet, from a birders perspective there is a beautiful world out there waiting for you to enjoy while the rest stay in.

I’ve discovered that birds may be more active on days where there is a light drizzle.
The woods become alive with fluttering movements in the underbrush.
Songs and calls ring out over open fields, the sounds of life mixing with the rainfall.
Even the sight of a familiar bird like this Northern Cardinal can feel like a present when taking in the vibrancy of its colors in that soft silvery light.



I spotted this handsome fella while birding with my friend @latta.ridge on a rainy morning at Cape Fear Shiners Park in Lillington, NC.
By my estimation, Shiners park is a Cardinal factory because we saw quite a few of them out there along the trails lol!
Not that it was a surprise, after all Northern Cardinals are one of the most common species of birds found in North Carolina.
And they are popular too!
In fact, these beauties are one of the most beloved birds in the US serving as the official State Bird of 7 states representing Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia respectively.

During the winter when our hardwood forests are scarce of leaf cover, Cardinals move to more sheltered spaces.
Over the next few months, look (and listen!) for them foraging in tangled thickets, along the edges of woodlands, and in densely weeded fields across the state.
Of course if you put out a bird feeder you’re likely to be blessed with the sight of these feathered gems in your own backyard as well.
Especially if you fill your feeder with black oil sunflower and safflower seeds.
Rain or shine, in the yard or in the field it’s always nice to take the time to enjoy a Northern Cardinal.

@sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on my mighty megapixel monster, the @canonusa #5Ds

Birding Trips and Tours North Carolina, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

Birding at the Art Park: The Northern Cardinal

When bird watching in NC, one of the most instantly recognizable species is the male Northern Cardinal.
A familiar sight both in our yards and in the woods, these vibrantly colored birds are found in all 100 counties across the Tarheel State.
I spotted this handsome fellow at the NC Museum of Art Park yesterday morning hiding on a shady bough.



As the end of the nesting season draws near, the Cardinals will start to molt out their feathers which will be replaced by bright new plumage. Some of them even lose all the feathers on their head all at once! This one appears to have started the process as he’s looking a little rough around the edges.



The Cardinal’s signature crimson red colored feathers are a product of the birds diet of plants, fruits and seeds rich in carotenoids.
Although there are plenty of options for them to snack on in the wild, you can grow plants right in your own backyard to help your local Cardinals keep their bright color.
These guys love fruit like raspberries, blackberries and strawberries as these fruits are packed with the carotenoids the birds need. That being said, if you really want to impress your flock of Cardinals, plant a a Dogwood as those red berries produced by this flowering tree are by far and away their favorite backyard treat.

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the full frame beast of an SLR, the mighty @canonusa
#5Ds

Field Notes

An uncommon yet common beauty: A Northern Cardinal at the Prairie Ridge Ecostation

By far, the most common bird I saw during my visit to the Prairie Ridge Ecostation last week were the Northern Cardinals.
It’s funny to me that so many people ignore them. With that vibrant red plumage and contrasting black mask, they’re are simply stunning creatures.



Our official state bird, the Northern Cardinal is a year round resident of North Carolina and are found in every county from the coast to the mountains foraging for a meal in areas of dense brushy undergrowth or in hedges.
Cardinals are of course a familiar backyard visitor too. They usually are seen on the ground below our feeders picking at the fallen seed.



Though they’re indeed numerous, I still enjoy photographing them whenever possible. That color is irresistible to me from a creative perspective.
Plus, whenever I see a Cardinal I’m reminded how important it is not to take a moment (or a bird) like this for granted.
After all, though they may be common around here, they are someone else’s Life Bird in other locations. Thus seeing one is extra special anyway one looks at it 🙂

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame @canonusa
#5Ds

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert

Why are Cardinals Red?

Why are Northern Cardinals red?

The state bird of N.C. is the Northern Cardinal, a familiar backyard feathered gem boldly colored with a cheerful song.
Have you ever wondered what gives their plumage that bright red color?

The coloration in these birds comes from three naturally occurring chemical compounds: melanin, porphyrins, and carotenoids.
Melanin is present in humans, giving us our skin, hair and eye colors — and it’s what gives cardinals black, brown, and buff hues.
Porphyrin is responsible for reddish and brownish shades.
But it’s the carotenoids, which create yellow, orange, and red colors, that are perhaps the most important to the male cardinal’s striking red coloring.



These carotenoids are found in plants. Cardinals that are especially bright red, are most likely dining on a healthy diet of carotenoid-rich fruits and berries.
You can aid these gorgeous birds in their development of rich coloration by planting native berry bushes like raspberries and mulberries in your yard. Another excellent food source is the Dogwood tree as their berries are particularly favored by Cardinals.
In addition to offering black oil sunflower seeds, you can also mix in some safflower seeds into your feeder which will add a bit of extra carotenoids into their high protein diets.
Such a gorgeous bird!

Photo by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc
Canon 5Ds

Field Notes, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

A common-rarity: the Northern Cardinal of N.C.

the Northern Cardinal is familiar sight at feeders for most of us east of the Rockies. Our state bird handsome bird is a cheerful sight on a rainy afternoon.
Did you know that the Northern Cardinal has even been spotted farther west in places like Southern California, Arizona and Hawaii?
Just a reminder that there are many species of birds that we might consider “common” in our own yards. Yet, they are a rarity and a very precious find in the eyes of others.
🌿
What “common” species do you still enjoy seeing frequently?
Are there any “common” species out of your home area that you wish you could see more often?
Mine are Stellers Jay’s and Magpies.
Only had the opportunity to photograph them once when visiting Colorado a few years ago.
🙂
Photo by @sally_siko .