As we’re approaching fall, birds are preparing to fly back to their wintering grounds. Yet some of them stay around, in this case, cardinals.
But do all of them stay around for winter? And how do they survive the cold? Let’s find out!
Why Do Cardinals Stay For Winter?
Cardinals don’t really migrate. Unlike Scarlet Tanagers and many other members of the Cardinalidae family, Northern Cardinals stay in the same area all year.
We refer to cardinals and other non-migratory birds as “permanent residents”. While a lot of other small birds migrate, permanent residents don’t because they follow diets or have adaptations that help them survive the winter.
For the most part, migratory birds eat lots of insects. Since they can’t find bugs in the winter, they migrate to tropical regions where insects occur all year long. They go pretty far, too; Scarlet Tanagers fly to the Amazon rainforest!
Northern Cardinals take advantage of insects, too, catching lots of grasshoppers and other bugs during the breeding season.
They feed those insects to their babies to help them grow fast and leave the nest ASAP. Adult Northern Cardinals eat bugs, too, but also forage for other food items. Their varied diet is one of the main reasons they can stay in the same small area all year long.
In fall, when insects have become less common, cardinals feed on berries and some seeds. In winter, they still eat fruits when they can find them, but mostly eat seeds.
Few Exceptions
Northern Cardinals aren’t known to migrate but there might be a few exceptions, especially for local movements. A 25 year study that tallied birds killed at TV towers in northern Florida found 54 Northern Cardinals.
On average, they found one cardinal in spring and one in fall that had crashed into the TV towers the same time that migrant birds did. There’s no way to know if those cardinals were migrants, nor how far they traveled but it’s possible they were migrating. After all, they were flying in the same area as other migrant birds, at night (like migrants), and during migration season.
Northern Cardinals don’t typically move much from their breeding grounds, but a few birds have flown quite far. The record was a cardinal banded in South Carolina that was found nearly two years later in Quebec. That cardinal traveled 1,118 miles!
Although such a long distance might seem like migration, that bird was dispersing to find a new territory. We’ll never know why it went so far but it may have kept flying when it saw forest (cardinals prefer second growth) or, was carried north by a storm.
Whatever the explanation, that particular cardinal holds the record!
How Do Cardinals Survive The Winter?
Many migrant birds have evolved migration to benefit from the abundance of insects available in spring and summer. Those birds migrate to warmer places for the winter. Cardinals, though, stay put even though they also eat insects.
How can cardinals eat insects but still survive the winter? Although cardinals feed on insects in spring and summer, arthropods aren’t the only things they eat. They also use their strong, conical beaks to crack open seeds and eat berries.
Cardinals eat seeds throughout the year, but in winter, sunflower and other types of seeds are their main food source – so much so that they’re regular visitors at feeders. The high-fat content in seeds makes it possible for cardinals to live in cold weather and make it through the winter.
They still have limits! These beautiful birds can’t withstand prolonged, extremely cold weather with deep snow. In the past, Northern Cardinals only lived in the southern states. However, as the climate warmed and winters became milder, cardinals have moved north.
However, as long as it doesn’t get too cold for too long, they can make it to spring. In many areas, especially at the northern edge of their range, bird feeders probably also help cardinals survive the winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cardinals still red in the winter?
Yes, cardinals are still red in the winter. They have the same plumage throughout the year.
Do cardinals live throughout the year as pairs?
Cardinals stay with their mate throughout the year. However, in some cases, cardinals can form small flocks in the winter.
How much do cardinals move around on their territory?
Cardinals move around most of their territory to take advantage of every feeding opportunity. In breeding season, cardinal territories can be three to six acres. In the winter, cardinals can range further, even moving 30 to 60 miles from their breeding area.