According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, male cardinals reach their peak of brilliance in the middle of winter. Their feathers glow bright red against a dreary background.

Photo Credit: Kathy Adams Clark. Restricted use. Female northern cardinals may choose a mate based on his vigorous song and bright red plumage. Photo Credit: Kathy Adams Clark. Restricted use.

The male Cardinal will perform a special dance for the female cardinal. The male will show off his bright colors and feathers before hopping from one foot to another.

One of the pleasures of spending time in my garden isn’t just the delicious stuff I grow for myself and my family, but the wonderful wildlife that come to visit. One of my favorite birds to see in my ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. A zoologist from the University of Otago in New Zealand spotted a rare bird with distinct half-male and half-female plumage.

The bluebird feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates (such as moths, worms, flies, ants, etc.), but they will search for berries, especially in winter. You will often see them perched on wires ...

The beautiful male cardinal bird in this hilarious YouTube clip is very interested in a female and is not being subtle about it! The obvious way he is checking her out may seem amusing to us, but ...

The Northern Cardinal’s red plumage can mimic Santa’s rosy reds, along with the other reasons for the red hues of Christmastime.

Young cardinals have a coloring similar to female cardinals, regardless of their sex. A MALE cardinal only acquires the characteristic red coloring after it molts and grows adult feathers.

Plumage and color of the young birds are very much like those of the female, and it will be hard to tell them apart. Look for the behavior: the young birds will follow the parent birds and beg for ...

The Northern Cardinal’s red plumage can mimic Santa’s rosy reds, along with the other reasons for the red hues of Christmastime.

Now, I’m no cardinal, but when I zoom in to create that faux proximity, and see the details of male and female cardinals’ plumage, the relative, or perceived, differences in beauty all but disappears.