How a Male Cardinal Shows Off During Courtship

The beautiful male cardinal bird in this hilarious YouTube clip is very interested in a female and is not being subtle about it! The obvious way he is checking her out may seem amusing to us, but it is actually part of this species’ mating ritual. Watch the clip and then read on for our analysis of the behavior and to find out more about these striking birds.

Cardinal Habitats and Reproduction

The birds in the clip are Northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) and are frequent visitors to yards and gardens throughout most of eastern North America. They are also found in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. They are easily recognized by their crest, large red bill, and long tail feathers. As shown in the clip, the male is entirely red with a black face, while the female is brownish in color.

They are usually found in pairs near dense cover, and the best way to entice them to your bird feeder is with some sunflower seeds. These birds breed between March and September, when the males become highly territorial and can be seen fighting with their reflections in your windows. They usually raise two broods each year. The females build their nests in dense vines or twigs and lay between one and five greenish eggs. It takes around 12 days for the eggs to hatch, and the young leave the nest around two weeks later.

Cardinal Relationship Etiquette

Northern cardinals are mainly serially monogamous. This means that they stick with one mating partner throughout the mating season but not for life. However, both males and females within a relationship have also been observed mating with other partners. The partnerships form in early spring, and this is what we are witnessing in the clip. What we interpret as him ‘checking her out’ is actually his mating dance. He raises his head and sways back and forth while singing softly. He also often brings her gifts of food as part of the ritual.

In most bird species, courtship is performed by males, who display their energy and vigor through bright plumage and energetic movements to attract females seeking the healthiest and strongest partners. However, in cardinals, females have also been observed displaying song-dance rituals that are very similar to the males.

Once mating is complete and the eggs are laid, the female will incubate them. Meanwhile, the male will gather seeds, insects, berries, beetles, spiders, and other small creatures for her to eat. When the chicks hatch, both parents will provide food for their offspring. This expanded its range significantly during the 20th century and now maintains a stable, healthy population across much of eastern and central North America. Hopefully, more people will get to witness this display in their yards.

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