Northern Cardinal: The vibrant voice and symbol of North Carolina
Since their creation, state mottos and symbols have helped to achieve distinction and uniqueness.
North Carolina's state motto is "Esse Quam Videri." It's a Latin phrase that roughly translates to "to be rather than to seem."
Animals make up many of the state symbols of North Carolina, including the:
- Eastern Swallowtail Butterfly
- Opossum
- Eastern Box Turtle
- Pine Barrens Tree Frog
- Colonial Spanish Mustang
- Gray Squirrel
- Honeybee
- Plott Hound
The state bird of North Carolina sticks out among the rest. It's beautiful, has positive associations and stays around all year.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about the Northern Cardinal.
Flashy appearance
A Northern Cardinal is a striking sight when you go birdwatching in North Carolina. It's the one that almost every birdwatcher hopes to see at least once.
The males have red feathers with a black crest and throat while the females have a more subdued but equally striking appearance. Their feathers are more of an olive-brown color with tinges of red.
Northern cardinals have one thing over many other birds and that is they don't lose their vibrant color in the colder months. They remain red all year. You may get lucky enough to see a rare red or albino one, though.
Their striking feathers help them embody the state motto well. It's difficult for them to hide or be seen as anything other than what they are with such bright and recognizable feathers.
Widespread Northern Cardinal habitat
The ideal Northern Cardinal habitat has dense vegetation for nesting and perching. They also need open areas to forage for food.
Cardinals are adaptable, resilient birds. Much like the residents of North Carolina, they can be found in:
- Mountains
- Coastlands
- Forests
- Fields
- Suburban gardens
Year-long songs
The state bird of North Carolina produces music that could rival its state song, "The Old North State." The birds can produce over 24 beautiful and complex tunes.
Both female and male cardinals sing, but the female's song is often longer and more complex.
They have a clear, whistling tone which may sound like they're saying "cheer cheer cheer" or "birdie birdie birdie."
Certain ones even sound like a child with a toy gun going "pew pew pew."
Cardinals can also produce other vocalizations. Sharp chips and clicks help them communicate with their mates, who they stick with for life. Certain sounds can warn off predators.
The best part is that you can hear their songs all year round. They become embedded into the state's natural background noise. It just wouldn't sound like North Carolina anymore without them.
Migratory habits
According to One Earth, approximately 1,800 of the world's 11,000 bird species migrate. The North Carolina state bird is one of the few that stays put.
This makes them visible all year round. You'll also hear their song no matter what time of the year it is.
Northern Cardinals are most active during the breeding season in spring and early summer. That's when males come out to establish their territories and find their mates.
You can still find the birds in the fall and winter months. Food sources are scarce, so they may even visit your backyard feeder.
Cultural significance
Many of the most interesting Northern Cardinal facts relate to their cultural significance over time. They've been the state bird of North Carolina since 1942. That's enough time for residents of the state to feel a strong connection to them.
Cardinals were an important symbol for a long before then. There are a great many positive associations attributed to the birds that any state would want to get behind.
Many cultures associate the bird with positive attributes such as:
- Vitality
- Renewal
- Strength
- Energy
- Passion
- Courage
Native Americans associate cardinals with good luck. They can also be seen as spiritual messengers.
Christian culture took this a step further. They believe that spotting a cardinal may mean a departed loved one is looking down on you. Its red color is only one reason it's connected to Christmas celebrations.
Other interesting Northern Cardinal facts
Other interesting Northern Cardinal facts may not be immediately apparent but are part of what makes them so special.
Cardinals are among the most territorial of birds. They'll fiercely defend their territory against any perceived intruders, even if it's just their reflection in a car window or door.
They'll often keep up the fight for hours.
They're not the only species this happens to, but it can unfortunately be deadly. A study from the Portland Audubon Society says 54-76% of window collisions are fatal.
This behavior can even have a positive association if you look at it the right way. The residents of North Carolina are also willing to defend their territory no matter what.
How long do Northern Cardinals live?
The Northern Cardinal's lifespan is also fairly long, showing their hardiness. Northern Cardinals live an average of 15 years in the wild. The oldest one was found in Pennsylvania. She was 15 years and nine months old.
They were once prized pets and could live up to 29 years in captivity. Their sale was banned by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1918. It helped their numbers recover and showed North Carolina's dedication to protecting wildlife.
Symbols of North Carolina
Hardy, sweet Scuppernong grape is North Carolina's state fruit
The flowering dogwood: North Carolina's symbol of resilience and beauty
