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The Unique Sounds of Cardinals

Image by Dr. Phil Wheat via Flickr.

While most people can identify a cardinal by looks, not everyone is familiar with the sounds of cardinals. Cardinals are recognizable birds because the males have bold red feathers. Yet, they have a series of calls and songs that aren’t as familiar to the general public.

The northern cardinal is the most common cardinal species, which lives across North America, including southeastern Canada, eastern United States, and parts of Mexico. If you live in this range, there’s a good chance that you’ve heard these birds’ sounds before.

Where Can You Hear Cardinal Sounds?

If you live in North America, especially in the eastern United States, you might hear cardinal sounds occasionally. Even if you don’t see these beautiful red birds, their songs can be loud. They often hide and nest in dense foliage, which is why their songs are sometimes more noticeable than their feathers.

Most cardinals live in forests and wetlands, so you’re more likely to hear the sounds of cardinals if you’re exploring nature rather than walking in the city. Nature trails are great places to listen for cardinals and other birds.

What are Common Sounds of Cardinals?

Like most birds, cardinals make a wide range of noises, which include calls and songs. You might have heard some of these unique noises in the background without even realizing it. If you’re ever unsure if you’re hearing a cardinal, compare the call to sound clips online to see if it matches.

Image by B & B Nature Photography via Flickr.

Calls

Cardinals make about 16 unique calls, and each one has a different purpose. Loud, metallic chirps are the most common calls. It’s a brief sound that’s meant to scare predators away, such as when threats approach a cardinal’s territory or nest.

These beautiful birds also make sounds while hanging out in the nest and feeding baby birds. This call sounds like the birds are saying “took” softly. It’s harder to recognize than the chirps because it’s a quiet sound that you need to be near a nest to hear.

Songs

Songs are typically easier to recognize than calls. Cardinal songs last for about two to three seconds. They’re a string of two-part whistles that usually speed up at the end. They may also end in a slow trill. Sometimes, the songs sound like the bird is saying “cheer, cheer, cheer” or “birdie, birdie, birdie.”

Both male and female cardinals sing. If you hear a cardinal song, it could mean that the bird is calling for a mate or protecting territory. You’re most likely to hear cardinal songs in spring and early summer since that’s the start of the mating season.

What Time of Year Will You Hear the Sounds of Cardinals?

A Male Cardinal Singing Outloud
Image by Randy Knauf via Flickr.

Cardinals don’t migrate, so you may see and hear them during all seasons. While the sounds of cardinals are more common during the mating season, you might hear occasional songs and calls during other periods.

These non-migratory birds don’t molt into duller feathers in the winter, so they look breathtaking next to snow-covered branches. If you hear metallic chirps and/or two-part whistles during any time of year, look around to see if you can spot a beautiful cardinal nearby.

What Time of Day Will You Hear the Sounds of Cardinals?

Cardinal sounds are the most common first thing in the morning. If you live near a forest, wetland, or another area with dense vegetation, be quiet and listen for the repetitive whistling. You may also hear them later at night.

This species is most active at dusk and dawn, which is why you’re more likely to hear their songs at those times. Because of their activity, cardinals are often the first and last birds you’ll see at your bird feeders each day.

How to Attract Cardinals

If you want to hear the sounds of cardinals more often, you’ll need to find ways to attract them to your property. Consider the following tips if you live within the northern cardinal’s range.

Image by Mark Palmer via Flickr.

Plant Dense Foliage

Cardinals don’t use birdhouses or nesting boxes like most birds. Instead, they prefer nesting in dense plants. Grapevines and evergreen shrubs are just a few plants that cardinals typically flock to. Grapevines double as a food source since cardinals will eat the fruit while their young will eat caterpillars living on the vines.

When setting up plants in your yard, plant them in layers. An assortment of dense plants near each other provides plenty of comfortable space for cardinals to hide and nest in. Soon you’ll be hearing the sounds of cardinals from your plants!

Set up Your Feeder Near Thick Plants

Like most birds, cardinals love eating from bird feeders. Yet, they’re most likely to approach the feeder if it’s near dense foliage. That way, it’s close to where they nest and they have somewhere safe to retreat to if needed.

Cardinals prefer stable bird feeders that are easy to rest on. So, consider a platform bird feeder or a non-hanging feeder. That way, they can easily perch on the feeder while they enjoy the food.

Offer Hard-Shelled Seeds

Northern Cardinals Feeding
Image by Brody J via Flickr.

When setting up your bird feeder, choose a seed mix that cardinals will enjoy. Cardinals have strong cone-shaped beaks that are perfect for breaking through seeds with hard shells. Some popular choices include sunflower seeds and safflower seeds. Using a blend of hard-shelled seeds is the best way to attract cardinals.

Provide Water

Placing a bird bath near the thick plants and bird feeder can increase your chances of cardinals visiting. Birds love having a bird bath to drink from and splash around in. Having at least one or two bird baths nearby is ideal for cardinals.

The Sounds of Cardinals are Beautiful

Not only are cardinals gorgeous birds, but their songs and calls are fascinating. These stunning red birds appear across North America year-round, but their sounds are most common in the spring and early summer.

If you want to hear the sounds of cardinals more often, attract them to your yard by planting thick foliage and providing bird feeders they’ll enjoy. Then, you’ll get to admire their bold red feathers while listening to their songs.

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One reply on “The Unique Sounds of Cardinals”

I have several feeders in my yard and have a variety birds that visit my yard. I have a Jasmine vine on the back wall of my house that a family of Northern Cardinals have nested in the last 3 years.

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