How do you identify female cardinal at your feeder? The female cardinal has a buff-brown body with tinges of red on her crown, wings, and tail. Her eyes are dark brown, and her face mask and throat have a grayish or charcoal hue. She has a bright orange beak, while her legs and feet are a dark gray color.
How to identify female cardinal at your feeder? You might have spotted a bird in your yard and asked yourself, “Is that a female cardinal?” Stay with me, and you’ll discover the distinct colors that set the female cardinal apart. No other bird quite resembles her, and she looks entirely different from her male counterpart — the bright red one you’re probably familiar with.
I often wondered why the female cardinal’s colors vary so much from the male’s, while the gender differences in other bird species aren’t as pronounced. Sure, males and females in other species have some differences, but cardinals take this difference to another level. So, I decided to explore this topic and learn more about the specific coloring of the female cardinal and how she compares to both the male and the juvenile cardinal.
One of my favorite experts on cardinals is Gary Ritchison, who wrote Wild Bird Guides: Northern Cardinal. I love diving into this book to learn new and fascinating things about my favorite bird — the cardinal. These beautiful creatures belong to the family Cardinalidae, which includes three species: the well-known Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), the Vermillion cardinal (Cardinalis phoeniceus), and the Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus), also known as the Desert cardinal.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• The female cardinal has a buff-brown body with red accents on her crown, wings, and tail. Her face features a grayish or charcoal mask and throat, dark brown eyes, a bright orange beak, and dark gray legs and feet.
• The female cardinal is unique and noticeably different from her male counterpart, who is bright red. No other bird closely resembles her, making her easy to identify once you know what to look for.
• The stark color differences between male and female cardinals are more pronounced compared to gender differences in many other bird species.
READ MORE
Do Blue Jays Eat Ants? All You Need to Know
Do Blue Jays Eat Cheese? All You Need to Know
What Does a Female Cardinal Look Like?
A female cardinal, unlike the male, displays softer, more muted colors. Her back, breast, and sides are often a warm tan or brownish-gray, which provides excellent camouflage while she nests. However, her wings, tail, and crest stand out with shades of orange-red, and she also features a black mask around her eyes.
Both male and female cardinals share the distinctive thick, reddish-orange bill. The female cardinal, though, has a more understated and camouflaged look compared to the vibrant red of the adult male. Juvenile female cardinals bear a resemblance to the adult females, though their coloring is less vivid, and their bills are gray or black.
When young cardinals first leave the nest, both males and females look quite similar. They tend to resemble a duller version of the adult female, with gray or black bills, shorter crests, and none of the orange-red accents that become more pronounced as they mature. Cardinals are quite common, particularly in areas where the Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is present.
The Northern cardinal is one of the most widespread bird species across North America. While male cardinals are easily spotted thanks to their striking red feathers, the female’s more muted colors help her stay less visible. These birds can be seen in a variety of settings, including backyards, parks, and forests. Though females may not be as flashy as the males, they are still far from rare.
Why Are Female Cardinals Brown Not Red?
Female cardinals are most likely brown to help them blend into their nesting environments. This difference in color serves as a protective measure, allowing them to better guard their eggs and young cardinals from potential predators. Similarly, juvenile cardinals, like many young birds, share similar coloring with their mothers for the same protective reasons.
Adult male cardinals are brightly colored to compete for mates and defend territory. The males with the most vibrant red feathers tend to attract mates earlier and secure better nesting areas compared to their less colorful counterparts. Birds can see a broader range of colors than humans, so the male cardinal’s plumage appears even more vibrant to other birds than it does to us.
From an evolutionary standpoint, the male cardinal’s bright red color developed as a way to attract mates. This intense coloration sends a clear message: “I’m healthy and strong.” Rival males are easy to spot, which can give brightly colored males an edge when competing for mates.
Female cardinals use these visual cues to judge a male’s health and suitability as a mate. Male cardinals get their bright red hue from carotenoids found in the fruits they eat, which can signal good nutrition. As a result, the more vivid a male’s feathers, the more appealing he is to potential mates as a sign of his health.
Female cardinals’ brown coloring however serves a different purpose—camouflage. They don’t need to stand out in a bold display to attract mates. Instead, their coloring helps them blend into their surroundings, making it easier for them to protect their eggs or fledglings from predators without drawing attention.
People Also Read
Is It Safe To Clean Bird Feeders In Your Kitchen Sink?
Males And Females Working Together
Male and female cardinals collaborate to select and protect the areas where they will build their nests and raise their young. During courtship, they engage in a series of displays, including twisting, swaying, and puffing out their chests to impress one another.
While males assist in choosing the nesting location, the female takes on the task of building the nest and incubating the eggs. Throughout the courting process, males also feed the females and continue to do so while the female is incubating and unable to gather food herself. To signal that she needs to be fed, the female mimics the behavior of a young bird by opening her bill and fluttering her wings.
Behavioral Differences Between Male And Female Cardinals
Both male and female cardinals are highly territorial birds. Outside the breeding season, some cardinals are more social and form relaxed flocks during the winter. However, when breeding season arrives, they become more solitary, focusing on their pairs and establishing their territories with increased intensity.
During this time, male cardinals are especially aggressive, both towards other males and different bird species, as well as during interactions with females. Their song becomes louder and more forceful, serving as a means to assert territorial dominance. Males court females by singing, starting as early as January in some parts of the US.
In addition to their songs, males perform a brief yet noticeable courtship dance that includes twisting their bodies and puffing out their chests. Occasionally, this courtship can become quite aggressive, leading to chases between the male and female that can last around 30 minutes. While cardinals are generally monogamous, about 20% of pairs may separate each year, especially if they struggle to successfully raise their young.
Latest Posts On The Blog
How to Keep Birds Away From Strawberry Plants
How to Keep Squirrels Out of Bird Feeders
Do Painted Buntings Eat Mealworms?
Do Painted Buntings Eat Sunflower Seeds?
Female Cardinal’s Appearance When Puffed Up
Have you ever wondered what a female cardinal looks like during winter? Her coloration stays consistent throughout the year, with a buffy-brown hue and hints of red. However, as temperatures drop and winds pick up, she fluffs up her feathers to keep warm. This puffed-up appearance is quite striking. By fluffing her feathers, she traps pockets of body heat, which is essential for survival. The more she fluffs, the warmer she stays.
Female Cardinal’s Appearance When Molting (Missing Feathers)
The first time I saw a female cardinal molting, I was concerned and thought she might be ill—her feathers were missing from her head and sometimes from other parts of her body. I thought, “That doesn’t look right.” In reality, the female cardinal was simply going through a natural process known as molting. This is a phase that all wild birds experience annually after the breeding season.
During molting, the bird sheds its old feathers and grows new ones. If you see a female cardinal looking a bit disheveled, she’s just in the process of losing her old feathers and hasn’t yet grown the new ones. Fortunately, nature has a way of managing this process: birds lose feathers in sections, which are replaced before the next section is lost. This ensures that the bird can still fly throughout the molting period.
Which Birds Look Like Female Cardinals?
Although the female cardinal has a distinct appearance, there are at least three other bird species that closely resemble her. They are:
1. Pyrrhuloxia
2. California Towhee
3. Cedar Waxwing
Let’s take a look at them:
1. Female Cardinal Vs Pyrrhuloxia
The Pyrrhuloxia, also known as the Desert Cardinal, closely resembles the female cardinal. Both species share a similar body shape and size, and both have distinctive crowns. This similarity is expected since they belong to the same Cardinalidae family.
However, there are noticeable differences between them. The crown of the female cardinal is fuller, taller, and a different color compared to that of the Pyrrhuloxia. Here are some distinguishing features between the Pyrrhuloxia and the female cardinal:
• The Pyrrhuloxia is mainly gray with red and black patches, while the female cardinal is buff tan with red and charcoal areas.
• The Pyrrhuloxia has a red mask on its face, whereas the female cardinal’s mask is charcoal.
• The body of the Pyrrhuloxia is more slender compared to the female cardinal.
• The Pyrrhuloxia has a yellow beak, while the female cardinal’s beak is orange.
• The Pyrrhuloxia’s tail is gray with red, while the female cardinal’s tail is tan with red. Both species have relatively long tails.
• The Pyrrhuloxia’s wings are gray with red and black, whereas the female cardinal’s wings are tan with red and black.
| Attribute | Pyrrhuloxia | Cardinal |
| Beak | Yellow | Orange |
| Body | Light gray patches of red and black | Buff tan with patches of red and charcoal |
| Crown | Short and thin | Tall and full |
| Tail | Gray with red | Tan with red tan |
| Wings | Gray with red and black | Tan with red and black |
The ranges of the Pyrrhuloxia and Northern Cardinal do overlap in some areas of the southwestern United States. In these regions, it is possible to see both species living in the same vicinity.
2. Female Cardinal Vs California Towhee
The California Towhee bears a mild resemblance to the female Northern Cardinal, particularly in body shape. However, there are several key differences between the two:
• The California Towhee has a grayish-brown face, while the female cardinal’s face is buff-tan with a charcoal mask.
• The California Towhee features a light gray beak, whereas the female cardinal’s beak is orange.
• The California Towhee lacks a crown, whereas the female cardinal has a prominent crown with tall tan and red feathers.
• The California Towhee has a long brown and orange tail, while the female cardinal’s tail is red.
• The California Towhee’s wings are grayish-brown, whereas the female cardinal’s wings are red.
| Attribute | California Towhee | Cardinal (Female) |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Face | Gray/brown | Buff/tan with charcoal mask |
| Beak | Light gray | Orange |
| Crown | None | Tall |
| Tail | Long brown/orange | Long red |
| Wings | Gray/brown | Red |
The ranges of the California Towhee and Northern Cardinal overlap only in a small area—Baja California, Mexico. Residents in this region might have the chance to observe both species.
3. Female Cardinal Vs Cedar Waxwing
Some people believe the Cedar Waxwing resembles the female Cardinal, but in reality, there are more differences than similarities between them. The only common feature is that both birds have some brown coloring. Beyond that, their appearances diverge significantly. The table below outlines the differences between the female Cardinal and Cedar Waxwing in terms of color and overall appearance.
| Attribute | Cedar Waxwing | Cardinal |
| Beak | Black | Orange |
| Body | Gray back, brown face & neck | Buff tan with patches of red and charcoal |
| Crown | Short and thin | Tall and full |
| Tail | Short with yellow tip | Long and red tan with red highlights |
| Belly | Yellow | Buff-brown |
| Wings | Gray with red and black | Tan with red and black |
| Mask | Black around eyes (like a bandit) | Black around beak |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Male And Female Cardinals Mate For Life?
Cardinals often stay together for many years, but not always. One study found that 20 percent of breeding pairs separate during the breeding season, with an additional 10 percent splitting up during the winter.
Why Are Male Cardinals Brighter Red Than Females?
Cardinals exhibit strong sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females look quite different from each other. Specifically, cardinals are dichromatic, with males and females having distinct color differences, although they are similar in shape and size.
Sexual dimorphism is common among birds. For example, Mallard ducks, pheasants, peafowl, and many parrots and tropical birds also display clear differences between males and females. In fact, most bird species show some level of sexual dimorphism.
Can a Cardinal Bird be Both Male and Female?
Cardinals occasionally display a rare condition called “bilateral hermaphroditism,” where a bird has characteristics of both sexes. This results in one side of its body having red feathers (typical of males) and the other side having tan feathers (typical of females). This condition has also been seen in other birds, butterflies, and crustaceans.
Two theories explain this phenomenon. One suggests that it results from the fusion of two embryos, one male and one female, during development. Another theory proposes that it occurs when a female produces an egg with two copies of sex chromosomes, which is then fertilized by two different sperm.
While androgynous cardinals are extremely rare, they present a fascinating sight if encountered. In Pennsylvania, a bird with this condition was observed in 2019 and 2021, likely the same bird. Although such birds may be sterile, their courtship behaviors provide intriguing insights into their reproductive potential. In cardinals, males have evolved bright red plumage to attract and compete for females.
Recommended For You
Do Mourning Doves Eat From Bird Feeders?
Do Mourning Doves Eat Peanuts?
Do Blue Jays Eat Caterpillars? All You Need to Know
Can Ducks Eat Celery? Facts You Need to Know
Final Thoughts
Although the female cardinal may not receive as much attention as her male counterpart, she possesses a unique beauty of her own. Her subtle yet striking coloration stands out in a special way. In my view, the female cardinal is even more captivating because her range of colors stands out vividly when she appears in your yard. Her subtle yet striking hues offer a unique charm that adds a special touch to any garden.
I recently cast-off this purlieus to lay one’s hands on repiping plumbers near me , and I couldn’t be happier with the results. The search was straightforward, and I appreciated the ornate profiles and buyer reviews instead of each contractor. It made comparing options and reading wide other clients’ experiences easy. The contractors I contacted were willing, professional, and offered competitive quotes. This milieu is a spectacular resource seeing that anyone needing reliable home form services. Enthusiastically recommended for its explicit interface and quality listings!