Female northern cardinals are far more subtle than the vivid red males, but they are just as striking up close. Here is how to recognise one in your yard.
Female cardinal colours
A female northern cardinal is mostly a warm pale brown or tan, with soft reddish tinges on the wings, tail and crest. This muted colouring is very different from the bright scarlet male, and it helps her stay camouflaged on the nest. Despite being less flashy, she shares the same pointed crest and shape as the male, so the two are easy to link once you know what to look for. See our cardinal diet guide or the songbirds hub for more.
Shared features with the male
Both male and female cardinals have a tall pointed crest on the head and a short, thick, cone-shaped beak built for cracking seeds. In females the beak is the same coral or orange-red as the male, which is a handy clue when the plumage is subtle. Both sexes also show a patch of black feathers around the face near the beak, though it tends to be softer on females. Learn what they eat in our cardinal diet guide.
Why the colours differ
The male's brilliant red plumage helps him attract a mate and defend his territory, while the female's muted tones keep her hidden while she sits on the nest. This difference between the sexes is common in birds and is called sexual dimorphism. Interestingly, female cardinals are among the few female songbirds that sing, often calling from the nest. Explore more backyard birds on the songbirds hub.