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I see them in my back yard all the time. Before my son passed away in 10-9-15 a cardinal appeared at my kitchen window every morning for about 12 days in a roll. They are also been none as a messenger. But I have read and bern told. When a cardinal appears in your yard or window its a loved one from heaven. Which ever I love them and have had some experience with them so I believe in it . Tks for sharing !!!
After recently discovering your videos, I've begun taking a bag of sunflower seeds on my daily hikes. I inadvertently discovered a pair of chickadees always hanging out in the same place each day, and realized that the 10ft high dead tree stump there were standing on was their nest cavity, with a small entrance hole at the very top. So every day I'd leave a little pile of seeds at the base of the stump, and the next day the pile had turned into a pile of empty shells. One time when I was leaving seeds, one of the chickadees flew down and landed on my palm, chirped, and began eating right out of my hands! I was so shocked that I said "oh my god, HI LENTIL! That's a good boy!" I didn't know what else to call him, and the name 'Lentil' came into my head because of your 'Lentil'! So I hope you don't mind me co-opting your Chickadee's name. There's now another Chickadee in Connecticut named Lentil, who eats out of somebody's hand each day! Thank you for your wonderful videos!
Not at all my friend. You are more than welcome to use that name for your darling new little buddy! I love that you were given this wonderful experience. Enjoy every second you have. 🥰
When I was a kid in the 1940's, I lived in a small urban community within sight of the New York skyline. At that time, cardinals were considered a rarity - maybe not ivory bill rare - but well beyond "unusual." When I was maybe nine or ten I remember walking into town on a spring day and seeing this red fluff of feathers preening itself on a branch of a London Plane tree. That was my first cardinal and the image and delight at seeing this bird has remained etched in my memory ever since.
My neighbourhood has lots of cardinals in it. Every spring/summer day, I can hear their clear song along with the robins, mourning doves, chipping sparrows, and the blue jays. Truly one of my favourite birds.
I agree. Most spring and summer days in my neighborhood are filled with songs of the birds that you listed, especially the Cardinals. Also, Mockingbirds, Song Sparrows, Blue Jays, House Finches, etc. for good measure. 🐦🎶😌
Me and my grandma used to sit in her kitchen or in her yard talking, drinking coffee and watching the birds. Cardinals were always there. She used to tell me the Cardinals are your loved ones that passed visiting you. Now my grandmas passed and everyday i watch the Cardinals and thibk of her and our conversations. ❤
The last several days we have watched a female take nesting material under a bough of a spruce tree. It is interesting to watch her gather the various materials, hop onto the bough, take a quick look for predators, then disappear under the bough. A minute or so later, she emerges and repeats the process. Our feeders are only a short distance from this spruce. Over the winter, multiple cardinals visited. Now that breeding season is here, the male drives off any other cardinal that isn't his mate. Finally, one of our females this winter had gold tones in her feathers. Both my wife and I were mesmerized by this beauty.
The thing i like most about Cardinals is that they are more cognizant of people than most other birds. I put seeds on the posts of my second story deck and they would bring their newborns with them and feed them there, showing them off to those they trust. If i forgot to put seeds out, they would come to the deck and chirp loudly until i remembered to feed them. They are like dogs, they know who you are and interact with you.
I live in Missouri. In early Spring I put out some corn, bread, peanuts, and dry cat food for the crows. When I was done I called out to the crows with a "Caw, caw, caw." Well, in an oak tree just over me, a male cardinal let me know loudly that my cawing to the crows was the worst crow accent he'd ever heard! He was really quite firm on the subject! But he did like that I put down food. In the next couple days I noticed I had a bonded couple of cardinals sharing the crow feeds. They are now a regular couple in the yard. No more complaints about my crow calls!
A couple of neighborhood kids and I were admiring a wood nymph butterfly a while back, kids took a pic and left, then a cardinal swooped in and ate it! Fancy breakfast,Mr.Cardinal.🦋
I have a "pet" cardinal at my house. He will wait for me on my porch when I get home from work for his sunflower seed dinner. He chirps fast if I don't move fast enough. He will also call for his missus when he's finished. Thank you, Lesley!
The Northern Cardinal is the mascot for my college, Ball State University! The northern cardinal is a fierce bird during breeding season, especially when they're around bird feeders, and are adorable to watch.
I live in and tend to stay in the desert southwest of the US. Once, many years ago while i was on a road trip with my family, we stopped at a rest stop. While walking around, and stopping to look into the brush, i spotted a beautiful, bright red cardinal just hanging out in a bush. That's the only one i can ever remember seeing in real life.
My favorite wild bird. One day I took a picture of a male cardinal and a young bunny looking at each other. It was so cute and to get a picture is a bonus.
I have loved cardinals since I was a child in illinois. Happiest memory - a male cardinal singing his heart out in the middle of a winter blizzard - he was in the plum tree in our back yard. I was 10 years old and have never forgotten those precious moments I stood in the heavy blowing snow and watched him sing - I thought he was singing to me! Adorable!
I moved from the desert Southwest, to Oklahoma 8 years ago, and Cardinals are my favorite part. We get a lot of them in fall and winter. They look so beautiful, and stand out against a snowy background.
what i remember most about Cardinals from my childhood. They seem so present in the moment. alert, intelligent, analytical. almost felt like we should talk to them. lol. i was little.
I had cardinals in my yard in the DC area. Now I live in Northern California, and I haven't seen a cardinal in the 53 years I've lived here. I miss their colorful displays and happy songs.
Thank you for helping me get started with birding. I've managed to tame 5 mockingbirds, the greatest animal in the world, and have even taught them basic commands.
Before I had to move to an apartment in a complex I had a beautiful backyard full of feeders and birds. There was a Cardinal couple who I called Bert and Ethel. They showed up all year round and had a nest nearby. I loved watching the youngsters who fledged and started new families. Thank you for your videos. I truly miss my yard. Your videos bring me out to the birds anytime I want. I also love the way you describe the birds and show how beautiful they are!
The sweet song of the cardinal bird is one I grew up hearing as a child in St. Louis. I recently moved back to STL after decades in Los Angeles where there are many nice birds, but no cardinals, of course. How funny that upon returning to my childhood city, that SONG, a soundtrack to youth, long forgotten, was immediately remembered , and brought some bit of nostalgia with it. I will absolutely be watching and providing seed for the local cardinals I have noticed hopping in my Missouri backyard.❤
The papa cardinal is always last to leave. I go to bring in feeders at night and sure enough I hear him in the pine he’s like wait coming for last dibs. My favorite is when he lets the bluejays know who is king of the feeders, never get tired of watching them running the bigger blue jay off.
This morning - May 30th - two cardinals - male and female - hopped across my patio on their way to who knows where? My cat, which is not allowed out, watched in wonder as they stopped for a minute to tease her. Somehow they seemed to know that she could not get at them. They are beautiful.
I saw 4 males in the same bush yesterday I was taught as s child to see one is good luck and allows you to make a wish so 4 wishes 😊 that's a once in a lifetime
I'm so happy that there are two pairs of Cardinals that have a nest nearby so I hear them singing everyday! Finches, Robins and Chickadees are also hanging out frequently!
@@LesleytheBirdNerd Sometimes I have to realize how lucky I am to get these birds in my backyard. Sincere thank YOU for this channel and helping me identify these different birds by their songs. Cheers!
We have had the same two for the past few years and they have brought a number of offspring into the neighborhood ! They hang at the feeders and get an occasional peanut as well ! Blessed to have them 🙏
The male of my first cardinal pair was a wee feathery fireball. One night, I saw him hammering away at a peanut like his life depended on it. This went on for a good twenty minutes. When he flew off, I went out to see what he’d been at- the shell was left in splinters!
We had a yellow cardinal in my county last year for a few months, and he became quite the celebrity. Cardinals are quite ubiquitous here in Central Florida so sometimes we can take them for granted. And then you see them against a certain background, or see them exhibiting some cool or funny behavior, and it makes you remember how awesome they are.
I love cardinals. I sit in my backyard and absorb precious vitamin D and watch the birds and sip on black coffee ( my morning routine ) thanks Leslie 🌷💕💕
After many years working out side in N.h. and Maine, I'm convinced that the spiritual nature of these cardinal s,showing up at times in your life when a love loss has happened to you. Also a feeling that comes over you is a language of it's own ❤ Thankyou. CHOCTAW NATIVE ❤
Hi. The Cardinal is my FAVORITE Bird! Very PRETTY! We have a bamboo tree in our backyard and there's been nest in it. I love birds period. To hear them sing makes my heart and soul HAPPY! I live in Florida.
Thank you, Lesley! I have been holding off on watching what I knew would be a great video until I psychologically needed it. I have had to take down all my bird feeders because of raccoons destroying my landscaping plants trying to reach them. I hope those raccoons will move on soon, and I can put the feeders back up. I still have some birds around because they grab the nuts and peanuts I put out for squirrels. The birds are welcome to them too, since the squirrels have eaten a lot of bird food! I love my cardinals - they are always faithful to my yard, and have brought their offspring over to feed!
Yeah, they're great birds to have around. Their song is very distinguishable, easy to pick out. I forget to terminology but they are the first and last to show up to the feeder.
Here in Massachusetts cardinals are very common and are thriving out here especially with the average bird feeder having what they want and eat. Bluejays are very popular too loving the peanuts being put out on a daily basis. I see a lot of chickadees, finches, mourning doves, robin's, junco's, titmice, warblers, wrens, woodpeckers and hawks of course around my yard. Sometimes I hear a barred owl at night. I really love that cardinal males are great fathers and mates and I'll mostly see a female cardinal in proximity of a male while they are eating on a bird feeder or chirping in a tree. Although the Bluejays can be annoying at times with their very loud yaps, but I really love this bird as well. Makes me appreciate the finer things in life and stop worrying about the nonsense that inundates our lives on a daily basis ✌🏽❤️
I have tons of them. The dominant resident male and his female built a nest in the grapevine on my fence this year, and they have been a joy to watch. Sadly, they both vanished today after someone mowed out there. I hope they haven’t abandoned their nest, but I fear that is what happened.
I recently moved from the PNW to Texas and I was delighted to find cardinals in my backyard. When I saw both cardinals and blue jays on my back fence, I took it as a good omen! ☮️💟
Girl, I'm one of those people that opened a birding book because of Cardinals. I lived in this area that was urban/suburban and they used to scavange from our trash. We were all in a Section 8 building. I went downstairs to my neighbor and asked if she minded if I put a bird feeder up in front of her windows (I was right above her). I told her "it's to attract the cardinals". She said "Oh! The red bird???" So impactful. 20 years later, I'm still feeding my birds. We have a Cardinal couple that appears to have one female offspring. Dad usually feeds her and she's pretty spunky. She's constantly singing the "chip" noise, so loud I can hear it when I'm away and I'm on the phone with my husband while he's home. My love for birds have grown, and I have other "favorite" species, but the Northern Cardinal will always have a special place in my heart.
I've been able to pish cardinals without much effort. One day, while painting my shed, I ended up bringing the same male three separate times! He kept changing his song, and I didn't know it was him until after I'd mimicked it and he showed up again!
What I like most about cardinals is their songs! That and their cheery colourisation against the snow. I am fortunate to have them in my back yard all year round. Thank you for your very lovely and informative presentation. I hope that you do get to see a bonded pair in person one day. From Montréal, Québec, Canada. ❤🇨🇦❤
I have a pair that have visited my feeder for 2 years. They LOVE black oil sunflower seeds, and as you've said, they're usually the first and last visitors to my feeder each day. In full sunlight the male is strikingly beautiful and he is bold in the way he approaches the feeder. The female is more subdued in her behavior, preferring to eat the seeds spilled onto my deck rather than from the feeder, although she does get up there with him sometimes. They are extremely shy, but the male is starting to let me watch him eat from a distance. Love from Alabama!
One of the things I love about Cardinals is that when I put peanuts out for the Jays and red bellied woodpeckers, they show up as well and take a peanut too. ☺️
😊 In my area in the Northeast..........I see them year-round..........as also the blue jays, the black-capped chicadees (my state bird), mourning doves. The robins I see only in the spring/summer, and the cedar waxwings I see between June to August, when there are red berries in one of my trees....they come in droves, but when the berries are all eaten, they don't come back until next year. 😆🐦🦜
i used to hesitate calling them my favorite bird because they’re so “common” in my area. but i think that’s what makes them great - on any given day you can look up and see one of these beauties, and they always put a smile on my face. both their vibrancy and their sweet calls always cheer me up instantly, they are so precious. i had a mated pair with an adorable fledgling at my feeder last year, and i think they’re back again! hoping to see them raise another little one or two this summer. :)
My first experience with the Cardinal was when living on my sailboat anchored off Islamorada in the Florida Keys, c. 1980. Being from Virginia I was surprised the Cardinal was that far south. I would walk back from my restaurant job in the evening on a lane parallel to US 1 and would often see, and hear, the male Cardinal in the trees. It was always a pleasure to encounter the guy. And also, my first contact with the Red Winged Blackbird was sitting by the pool at a resort in Islamorada where I later worked. I soon became familiar with its call. Even later, in Connecticut, I loved to see the male on top of some rushes near the Connecticut River. And lastly, living in Montana and biking along some road the males would dive bomb me, I suppose thinking I was some threat. Little did they know I was a friend.
Another North Carolinian here! I love seeing the cardinals in my backyard! I've noticed the males like to eat up high, and the females seem to prefer eating on the ground. I haven't really noticed any other interesting behavior though. Of all my backyard birds, they're the most boring behaviorly (at least, whenever I'm observing them 😂). I also can't really tell them apart (there's at least 2 males and a few females). When some molt, I can sort of track who is who for a while (one female cardinal last year had a truly spectacular molt and lost all her head and neck feathers at once - I honestly didn't even recognize it as a cardinal at first 😅). I'm starting to tell the Blue Jays apart, and even the tufted titmice (one of whom has a feather sticking out funny so I can always tell him from the others!) and chickadees have distinct personalities. Sadly, I had to stop feeding the cardinals sunflower seeds now that it's summer because we've got black bears. 😒 At least there's plenty of bugs and berries out now!
A friend of mine introduced me to your videos, and I'm very appreciative! I have quite a few cardinals and blue jays in my backyard, among many other types, and your videos have been so helpful. Located in wisconsin and a lot of your videos are relevant, I love it!
@@BirdsandGhibliFan oh I bet you will! Actually it was that sound that made me look outside the time I saw the male cardinal in my backyard doing that wing dance with the female 😄, now you know what sound to listen for, if you ever hear it then start looking around! 🤞
Fascinating info about a beautiful and recognizable bird. Especially interesting to learn about female cardinals singing duets with the males, males feeding other species on occasion, and that the red colour of the males is from their diet.
I love our cardinal pair. When the share food is the best. The male is so striking in the snow or green lush yard. They really sing loud also, seeming to show off their lung capacity. :)
loved your video Lesley on these birds for the last 4 years we have been feeding the birds year round we have so many cardinals now I love when they bring their young to the feeders they are such a hoot to watch jumping around with those cone head feathers on top they have...Sometimes the Bluejays bring their young also to the feeders and we get to watch them too...
My niece's, who's 4 though it was when she was 3, first bird she was able to identify by site and call were crows and then cardinals. Technically it was vultures but she would often mix crows and vultures together when seeing them so it was when she could match the call to the bird (crows) that I realized she was actually identifying crows for what they are and not what she thought they were. She's becoming quite the proficient naturalist.
I have a cardinal couple that has been hanging around my yard for a few years now. I love watching the male give the female seeds in the spring 🤗 I also love seeing their cute black bald heads at the end of summer 😂
I live in central Maine and have a pair of Cardinals who have frequented our feeders and trees since we moved here 5 years ago. I love watching the pair together and when they bring their babies to our feeders. Last year, one of the babies was a very loud and demanding one. LOL. He eventually took off but I do believe he came back for a brief visit in early spring.
I absolutely love to see cardinals and blue jays in my yard. So far I have the white-throated sparrow, common grackles, red-winged blackbird mouring doves, black caped chickadees, and woodpeckers. I could spend hours watching them
I love cardinals! At the most recent place I lived for 4 years, there was a cardinal "husband and wifey", as I like to call them, who would come around, and sometimes another male. Their songs always blew me away, and one day I was out for a walk and saw Lady Cardinal sangin' away in a nearby bush and that's when I discovered that the females sing too and from then on I had an even deeper love for them. This video was so informative - thank you for this. ❤❤❤
I live in South Carolina and they are not in short supply at all! Haha. I get aggravated with them because they sing so loud that you can't hear the other birds. They're literally everywhere.
My cardinals are absolutely beautiful and my state bird. They are shy though and I hate that other birds scare them away easily. My feeding station has helped produce 7 generations.
I love getting to see the cardinals everyday. There is a male and one eager female who, when they spot me, will fly to a higher nearby tree branch and call to me. I usually reward them with a thrown peanut half. They are very sweet and skittish birds. In the winter here Last season I saw as many as 14 cardinals come by at once to my feeder. It was really surprising and beautiful to see ☺️💖
One severe winter I counted 7 male cardinals at our feeder. Soon started spreading seeds on the ground for them to gather and lessen the competition between them.
Living in SE Louisiana, our cardinals are here year-round, so we make sure are feeders are out all the time. If they are low, the cardinals definitely let me know with their loud chirps...chirping incessantly, like "okay, woman, come fill these things up now!!" 😂😂
