The Northern Cardinal is one of Florida’s most familiar and beloved birds. With their bright red feathers, bold songs, and confident personalities, cardinals bring a splash of color and sound to yards, parks, and forests across the state. They’re one of those birds that almost everyone recognizes, whether you’re an experienced birder or just someone who enjoys a walk outdoors.
Unlike some birds that migrate, cardinals stay in Florida year-round, making them a comforting presence through every season. You’ll hear their cheerful songs even on the warmest summer mornings or the mild winter afternoons. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why cardinals are so successful in Florida, where you’re most likely to find them, and how to spot the small differences between the sexes.
Whether you’re deep in the woods or sitting on your back porch, there’s always a chance a flash of red will catch your eye, reminding you of the steady, lively spirit these birds bring to Florida’s natural world.
1. Northern Cardinal
- Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis
- Life span: 7-10 years
- Size: 8-9 inches (21-23 cm)
- Weight: 1.5–1.7 ounces (42–48 grams)
- Wingspan: 9.8-12.2 inches (25-31 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Stays in Florida year-round; does not migrate.
The Northern Cardinal is one of the most recognizable birds in North America, known for its vivid colors and clear, whistling songs. Its range stretches widely, covering the eastern and central United States, much of Mexico, and parts of Central America. In Florida, the Northern Cardinal is a familiar sight in forests, gardens, parks, and neighbourhoods year-round.
Males are striking with their brilliant red feathers, black masks around the face, and thick orange-red beaks. Females, while more muted, are equally beautiful, dressed in soft tan and brown tones with warm red highlights on their wings, tails, and crests. Both sexes share the same robust, crested head shape that gives them a distinctive silhouette.
Their strong, upright posture and lively movements make them easy to spot even when perched deep in shrubs. Their confident presence adds life and color to almost every landscape they inhabit.
Northern Cardinals are thoughtful, persistent nest builders, often choosing dense shrubs, small trees, or even well-vegetated gardens as their nesting sites. The female takes the lead, carefully weaving a cup-shaped nest from twigs, bark strips, grasses, pine needles, and even bits of paper or string if she finds them.
She lines the nest with softer materials to cushion the delicate eggs. Nesting sites are usually low — rarely more than ten feet off the ground — and tucked so deeply in foliage that you could easily pass by without noticing. Cardinals in Florida often take advantage of the longer warm season, raising up to three broods in a single year.
While the female incubates the eggs, the male stays close, singing and guarding the territory fiercely. Their strong pair bonds and protective behaviour give their nesting season a lively, active rhythm that fills gardens and woodlands alike with their steady songs.
Northern Cardinals are classic opportunistic feeders, a big reason why they are so successful in so many environments, from Florida’s suburbs to its forest edges. They rely heavily on seeds and fruits, using their thick, strong beaks to crack open sunflower seeds, berries, and other tough foods that many birds pass over.
During the breeding season, cardinals switch gears a bit, actively seeking out insects like beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers to provide high-protein meals for their hungry chicks. Watching them forage is a quiet pleasure — they hop across lawns, shuffle through fallen leaves, or cling to branches while carefully selecting ripe berries.
They also quickly learn to visit backyard feeders, becoming regular visitors where black oil sunflower seeds are offered. Their adaptable diet allows them to thrive in both wild and human-made environments, making them reliable and welcome year-round neighbours across Florida.
The story of the Northern Cardinal is a rare bright spot in bird conservation history. Over the last hundred years, their range has steadily expanded, helped along by human settlement patterns that created more edge habitats — a mix of open areas, shrubs, and scattered trees.
Cardinals adapted better than most, finding food and shelter in suburban yards, parks, and farmland edges. In Florida, their numbers remain strong, and they are among the most common backyard birds. They are currently listed as Least Concern by conservation organizations, with stable or even growing populations. Their bright colors and cheerful songs have made them favourites among bird lovers, artists, and even sports teams.
Their popularity helps keep public interest in protecting green spaces alive. Even though they aren’t endangered, their success reminds us that maintaining healthy, connected habitats benefits even the birds we sometimes take for granted.
Where to look for Cardinals in Florida
Finding Northern Cardinals in Florida is one of the simpler pleasures for bird lovers. These birds are comfortable in a wide range of places — from deep forests to suburban backyards. Early mornings are the best time to hear their clear, whistling songs, often coming from the tops of bushes or trees. You don’t need special equipment to spot them; just walk slowly, look for a flash of red or a moving shape in the low branches, and listen carefully.
Cardinals tend to stay low to the ground or mid-height, making them easier to see than some other birds.
Some great places to find cardinals include Everglades National Park, where they perch among the dense mangroves and hardwood hammocks.
Ocala National Forest is another good spot, especially in the pine flatwoods. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park near Gainesville offers excellent trails where cardinals are common year-round.
Even urban parks like Lettuce Lake Park in Tampa are alive with their calls. No matter where you go in Florida, if you slow down and tune in to the right sounds, a Northern Cardinal is never far away. Their bright colors and cheerful songs are a comforting and lively part of Florida’s natural world.
Conclusion
Northern Cardinals are one of Florida’s most colourful and familiar birds, adding brightness and song to every season. Their ability to thrive in forests, parks, and backyards alike makes them a lasting part of the state’s natural beauty.
Whether spotted darting through a tangle of branches or singing from a rooftop, cardinals bring life and energy wherever they go. Their steady presence reminds us how closely our everyday spaces are connected to Florida’s vibrant wildlife.
