Cardinals are easily recognized by their vivid red plumage. However, if you look closely, you’ll notice that female cardinals actually have more muted, grayish feathers. This distinct coloration difference between males and females is common in many bird species. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at cardinal plumage, examine why males and females look so different, and help you identify male and female cardinals based on their coloring.
The Bright Red Male Cardinal
The male cardinal is perhaps one of the most recognizable backyard birds, with its bright red body feathers, vivid red crest, and distinctive red mask over the eyes and beak. This striking red coloration comes from carotenoid pigments obtained through the cardinal’s diet of seeds and fruit. Structural colors from microscopic air bubbles in the feathers also help intensify the brilliance of the male’s red hues.
Male cardinals need their flashy feathers to attract a mate. By sporting bright red plumage, male cardinals catch the female’s eye and communicate their health and vigor. Cardinals are monogamous, typically mating for life, so this red coloring helps the males stand out to potential partners.
The More Subtle Female Cardinal
Female cardinals have plumage that is more grayish-brown overall, with soft red accents in their wings, tails, and crests. Their feathers contain the same carotenoid pigments as the males, but they lack the structural colors that intensify the hues. This results in more muted, subdued plumage.
The drab appearance helps camouflage the female on the nest while she incubates eggs and cares for hatchlings. A vivid red would make them much more visible to predators. The more neutral tones also allow the female to blend into vegetation as she gathers food.
Cardinal Coloration Changes Throughout the Year
A cardinal’s feathers go through wear and tear over time. This causes their colors to fade and appear less intense. Cardinals molt and replace their feathers each year, which restores their vibrant hues.
Male cardinals molt in early fall after nesting season concludes. This returns them to their bright red shades for winter. Females molt later in fall, just before winter, renewing their subtle grayish-brown tones.
In late winter and early spring, both males and females undergo a partial molt that replaces head feathers and some body plumes before the breeding season starts. This helps ensure they look their best for courtship displays.
Season | Male Coloration | Female Coloration |
---|---|---|
Summer | Vivid red | Grayish brown |
Fall | Faded red | Faded gray-brown |
Early Winter | Renewed bright red after molt | Dull grayish-brown before molt |
Late Winter | Bright red with fresh head feathers | Renewed subtle gray-brown after molt |
Young Cardinals Resemble Females
Young cardinal fledglings generally resemble adult females in their coloring. Both male and female juveniles have mostly gray feathers, with some reddish-brown hues on the wings, tails, and crests.
As the young males mature, their plumage slowly transitions to the recognizable red shade. This process can take several molting cycles to complete, typically by age 2 or 3. Immature males may exhibit odd patchy color patterns as their new red feathers grow in.
Young females remain gray-brown like adult females, though juvenile feathers can appear lighter and streaked until their first molt. Cardinals reach sexual maturity by age 1 or 2.
Regional Differences Exist in Cardinal Coloration
While bright red males and grayish-brown females are the norm across most of the cardinal’s range, regional color variations do exist:
- In the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, males have more orange and yellow hues mixed in with the red.
- In the southeastern U.S., brighter blood-red males and darker gray-brown females are sometimes seen.
- In Florida and tropical environments, males are a deep vibrant red while females are a bold gray-brown.
- In the far west and Pacific Northwest, washed-out pale red males and faded gray females occur.
These localized color differences within cardinal populations likely relate to minor genetic differences, as well as the availability of carotenoid pigments in the diet.
How to Tell Male and Female Cardinals Apart
When observing cardinals, there are a few key differences to look for to determine whether you’re seeing a male or female:
Males
- Bright red body feathers
- Red mask covering eyes and beak
- Long red crest on head
- Red tail feathers
- Black around base of bill
- Songs and calls louder and more varied
Females
- Grayish-brown overall, with some red tinges
- Pale reddish mask
- Shorter gray crest
- Red tail feathers with gray undertail coverts
- Extensive red on wings
- Songs and calls more muted
The male’s entirely red body and jet black facial markings are the most obvious giveaways. Females have more gray-brown plumage, with red limited to the wings, tail, mask, and crest.
Listening for songs and calls can also help identify the sexes. Males sing loud melodious phrases consistently to mark territory. Females primarily give short chipping calls.
Why Is There Such a Difference in Coloration?
The vivid red male plumage and subtler female coloration seen in cardinals is due to a phenomenon known as sexual dimorphism. This refers to distinct physical differences between males and females of the same species.
In birds, males often have flashy, conspicuous feathers for attracting mates and intimidating rivals. Meanwhile, females blend in better to hide on the nest. So natural selection has favored these divergent appearances between the sexes.
Cardinals exemplify this common avian pattern. Males need to stand out, so they sport bright red colors. Females take on more of a camouflage role, with their gray-brown hues.
Interestingly, the degree of sexual dimorphism relates to mating habits. Male and female cardinals look very different, reflecting their monogamous mating for life. But in birds that are promiscuous and mate with multiple partners, the sexes tend to appear more alike.
Cardinal Pairs Offer Contrasting Colors
When you spot a cardinal couple together, the vivid male and more muted female create a beautiful study in contrasting colors. Watch for courtship feeding, where the male brings seeds or insects to the drabber female as part of their pair bond.
Fledgling youngsters out and about with parents will resemble the female, though some may show the beginning stages of male plumage. Mixed flocks often contain several females or juveniles gather around a brightly colored adult male.
So the next time you see cardinals, take a moment to note plumage details and see if you can determine the sexes. The males’ bright red feathers play an integral role in serving both social and camouflage functions for this iconic songbird couple.
Conclusion
The male cardinal owes its brilliant red plumage to carotenoid pigments in its diet that are boosted by structural feather colors. Meanwhile, the female’s more subtle gray-brown appearance is ideal camouflage for sitting on a nest. Understanding these color differences and the role they play in cardinal behavior and biology lets us appreciate how form fits function in nature’s design. So keep an eye out for the vivid males and their more muted female companions at your feeders and in your yards.