View from the window...cardinal facts

Cardinal - car·di·nal /ˈkärd(ə)nl

noun -  1. a high ecclesiastical official    2. a number  3. a songbird

adjective - of greatest importance; fundamental

    I imagine that in any language other than English, each of these meanings would have a separate word. We however like to imbue each word with multiple meanings that I'm sure confound and frustrate those trying to master English for the first time. However, in this context, as I see do not regularly see church officials out the front window, am not counting things, and have no profound statements of importance to make, we shall content ourselves with the joy of the colour red, which we do see regularly.

On these days in January when it is so often gloomy and dark, the vivid red of the Northern Cardinal brings a literal bright spot to the day. We have had a pair visiting regularly. They approach quietly, sitting near one another in the safety of the cedar hedge until they feel that it is safe to approach. 

With some birds, like Blue jays, the male and female are coloured alike. It is not hard to tell the male from the female with these cardinals.

The female is all soft earthy tones with accents of vivid colour in the tip of her crest, the edges of her wings and most pronounced, her beak. She is generally shy, hanging back in the ground near the shrubs. She will venture out for a seed or to forage but quickly returns to safety.

The male is all flash and brilliance, instantly recognizable and gladly welcomed, his presence bringing a lifting of the spirits. The pigments for his red feathers have to be ingested, so if he is a bold and brilliant red, he is eating well. (So what came first, the Cardinal wearing red, or the red cardinal. Probably the cardinal, but it may not have been called a cardinal at the time. See? Confusing!)

Cardinal are primarily seed eaters and their beaks are curved and strong to break open even large seeds. 

It is obvious that these birds are a pair. Cardinals are predominantly monogamous and often retain their mates for life. He stays near and is always aware of where she is. He talks to her in single 'chips' as full songs seem to have more purpose in mating time.

It is such a joy to have this colourful presence in the yard each day. Many people attach meaning to the cardinal as a totem or spirit animal. Some believe their presence is a visitation of a loved one after death. Whether you ascribe to those particular beliefs or not, the presence of a cardinal should bring a moment of joy.

And when the male cardinal leaves the lower shrubbery,

and ascends to the treetops

we will know that spring is very close.

NB: The Cardinal is the State Bird for 7 States. The common Loon is the Provincial Bird for Ontario. I shall name the Cardinal as my personal Yard Bird.