Cardinal Fun

“So what do you think of the service at this feeder?”

Female cardinals are truly unique in the avian world. Unlike most other female songbirds, female cardinals sing, and sometimes a longer and more complex song than their mates, and they converse as well while she sits on the nest. Though they may seem drab in comparison to their brilliant scarlet mates, she guards the nest while the males distract predators away from the nest. You’ll often see the male and female perching together, and they engage in mate feeding especially in spring but also through the year. For birds they really seem to be equal in their division of duties.

Among animal symbols cardinals tell us to be individuals, sing our song, be proud of ourselves and graciously accept praise and rewards, something to remember on this International Women’s Day.

They are also characters at the feeder, as this female cardinal inspired some captions to the photos I took of her yesterday morning.

“Okay, who’s going to get that peanut?”

“Who invited you?!”

Having lunch with friends.

“What’s up with her?”

“Now I’ve got to watch the kids!”

. . . . . .

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