Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis

This morning our cardinal nest in the Burning Bush by the porch was certainly active. I watched as Mom and Dad cardinal worked vigorously feeding the little ones. There were three young cardinals in the nest this morning. The photo of the three shows them hunkered down tightly in the nest. It is a pile of birds for the small nest. This evening I checked and there was only one bird that had not fledged today. As you can see this lone bird has the developing crest and looks as if he is a rock star getting ready to go on tour.

The female incubates the eggs with help from male. The brightly colored male cares for the first brood while the female incubates the second clutch. Incubation takes 12-13 days. Development is altricial (immobile, downless, eyes closed, fed by parents). Young leave the nest after 9-10 days. Both sexes tend young.

The brilliantly colored Northern Cardinal has the record for popularity as a state bird. In the United States, it holds that title in seven states. Grandpa Davis who lived in the Western US (out of the range of the cardinal) would always be amazed when the cardinals would arrive at the feeder.