Male Cardinal Song

Male cardinal song

Both male and female Northern Cardinals sing. The song is a loud string of clear down-slurred or two-parted whistles, often speeding up and ending in a slow trill. The songs typically last 2 to 3 seconds. Syllables can sound like the bird is singing cheer, cheer, cheer or birdie, birdie, birdie.

Why does a male cardinal sing?

Male and female cardinals pair for the breeding season, and the same two birds sometimes pair up season after season, on the same territory. Typically in February-March, the males establish territories, singing to make their claim. Two males sing back and forth, one answering the other, to establish boundaries.

14 Male cardinal song Images