Fauna Flora Photography

Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis

In the winter, the most colourful bird that can be found in woods and forests around Montreal. Northern Cardinal usually appears as couple. If you spot a male the female is not for away.

Specs

Length21-23cm
Weight42-45g
Wingspan30-35cm

Common Names

GermanRotkardinal
EnglishNorthern Cardinal
FrenchCardinal rouge
SpanishCardenal norteño

Taxonomy

OrderPasseriformes
FamilyCardinalidae
SpeciesCardinalis cardinalis

How to Identify

Both, male and female are easily identified. The male is completely red, the female brownish, light brown almost yellow on the breast, darker almost olive on the back and with partially red wings. Both have a black mask around the reddish beak.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) - Parc Mont-Royal - 2017-12-17
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) - Jardin Botanique de Montréal - 2017-05-20
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) - Parc Angrignon - 2017-03-30
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) - Parc Île-de-la-Visitation - 2016-03-21
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) - Parc Mont-Royal - 2016-01-02
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) - Parc Mont-Royal - 2016-01-02
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) - Parc Mont-Royal - 2016-01-02
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) - Parc Mont-Royal - 2016-01-02

Where and When to Spot

There is no park where I haven’t seen Northern Cardinals. Early in the morning, the male exposes himself by sitting on a branch performing his chant. Due to its intensive red color easily to spot. The female may not be for away, somewhere hidden in the bushes at lower ground.

SpringSummerFallWinter
Jardin Botanique de Montréal x x - x
Parc Angrignon x x - x
Parc Bernard-Landry x - x -
Parc Michel-Chartrand x - - x
Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies x - - x
Parc de la Frayère x x - -
Parc des Rapides x - - -

Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.


Last updated on 2024-03-14. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.