One of the most recognizable birds that most folks can name is the cardinal. Specifically, the bird people tend to conjure up in their mind’s eye is the male Northern Cardinal. It stands out in stark contrast to its environment, making it easy to spot and a joy to photograph.
But why bright red? You would think, like British Red Coats during the Revolutionary War, that such a vibrant color would make it easier to be killed. Granted, one can understand strong colors to attract a mate (see: men in vivid shorts and women in sun dresses). But do male cardinals go overboard?
Well it turns out their brightness attracts mates not just because they’re pretty, but because their color is an indicator of their health and survivability. This is because cardinals eat certain foods that help boost their brightness. Berries and nuts abundant in carotenoids helps maintain the vibrancy of their feathers.
In other words, if a male cardinal is bright red, that means it has done a good job of foraging for food, avoiding predators, and generally just keeping itself alive. In contrast, a duller red male has been having a rough go of it.
One last thought: female Northern Cardinals look similar but are primarily light brown and minimally red. Consequently, they are harder to find but are a delight when you do. But if you see a bright red male, there may well be a beautiful female nearby so be on the look out!
The Northern Cardinal is common year round in most of the continental United States, except for the west and northwest.
Until next (Bird!) time,
Grover