66. Wendy Paulson’s Birds of Barrington | Northern Cardinal

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3 mins read
Northern Cardinal

If there is any songbird that consistently arrests attention, especially in a winter landscape, it would be the northern cardinal. The brilliant crimson plumage of the male makes even those little interested in birds take notice. In fact, it’s perhaps mostly the non-birders who are most enthusiastic observers of cardinals; they, along with birders visiting from other countries, take note of the flashy red bird, while local seasoned birders often dismiss the species because it so common.

Birds of Barrington with Wendy Paulson - Northern Cardinal
Birds of Barrington with Wendy Paulson – Northern Cardinal

Perhaps it is the flashiness that has led seven states, including Illinois, to list the northern cardinal as their state bird. That number puts it in first place among state bird species.

Our six- and four-year-old grandchildren love to point out the visual difference between the male and female cardinals. The male is the more conspicuous, with its scarlet flight and body feathers and sharply contrasting black face. The female is more muted. Like the male, she has a blackish feathered face but overall her plumage is a dull pinky brown with reddish highlights in the wings and tail. Both birds have distinctive crests and large, orange-red bills that they use to crush seeds.

Processed by: Helicon Filter;That strong bill is characteristic of many of the species in the family Cardinalidae, a family of birds that occur in both North and South America. Frankly, I long wondered why the northern cardinal is termed “northern,” especially since it is common in many southern states. But it turns out that in the wider Cardinal family, it is the northernmost species, nesting even in provinces of southern Canada. The name “cardinal” was bestowed because of the color which reminded taxonomists of the red vestments worn by cardinals in the Roman Catholic church. On many occasions, students have guessed to me that the bird is named for the St. Louis baseball team mascot!

Barringtonians can see northern cardinals year-round. They do not migrate but rather are permanent residents and favor open woodlands, yards, thickets. Frequently the cardinal builds its twiggy nest in an evergreen. In a soft inner cup of grasses, the female lays three or four eggs that are heavily blotched with irregular squiggles of various hues. It is mostly the female that incubates. Sometimes the male will bring her food and feed her much the same way the adults later feed the young. Cardinals nest early and late; they can raise as many as three or four broods in a season.

Despite the recent and extended stretch of frigid weather, already I have heard male cardinals venturing spring songs, one of which is a bird-y, bird-y, bird-y, bird-y that is probably familiar to most people even though they might not be able to identify the singer.

Cardinals have a wonderful repertoire of whistled, musical songs and, unlike many species, both sexes sing. In fact, they countersing in duets. When spring finally does make its long-delayed appearance in the Barrington area, it is a duet from a classy pair of birds that we all can look forward to.

Cardinals In Snow
Birds of Barrington with Wendy Paulson – Northern Cardinal

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About the Author

Wendy Paulson has lived in Barrington Hills since 1975, and has led bird walks in the area for many years. She re-established the Nature Lady program in District 220 and St. Anne’s in the late 70s, under the auspices of The Garden Club and Little Garden Club of Barrington.

Wendy Paulson
Wendy Paulson

Wendy developed the education program for Citizens for Conservation, initiated and edited its newsletter, and has been an active volunteer with CFC for over 30 years.

During interludes in New York City and Washington, DC, she taught classes about birds in the public schools and is helping to develop a similar program in Chicago public schools with Openlands.

She has a regular schedule of bird walks in the Barrington area sponsored by Citizens for Conservation and Audubon Chicago Region.

Wendy is chairman of The Bobolink Foundation, serves on the board or advisory committee of multiple conservation and bird-related organizations, both domestic and international, and is former chairman of IL and NY chapters of The Nature Conservancy.

She and her husband Hank have two grown children and are avid hikers, cyclists, and kayakers.

For more information about a cause close to Wendy’s heart here in Barrington, visit CitizensForConservation.org.

Citizens for Conservation just announced the schedule of 2014 Barrington area Spring Bird Hikes and Walks with Wendy Paulson.

CLICK HERE to find out when and where you can meet Wendy for her upcoming Bird Hikes & Walks.

Wendy Paulson is a regular contributor at 365Barrington.com sharing profiles of birds found in the Barrington area. CLICK HERE to read all of Wendy’s posts published in our Birds of Barrington series and watch for her next contribution which will be published early next month.

Do you have a question about birds you’ve seen in Barrington? Just enter you question in the comments box for this post and we’ll ask Wendy!

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