Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal has an incomplete to complete preformative molt, but no prealternate molts. Except as juveniles (FCJ), sex of individuals is readily apparent by overall plumage.

The frequency of complete preformative molt may vary by population, but in the absence of detailed local knowledge, individuals lacking juvenile plumage should be considered M-FCF (U/AHY).

Quick tips

• Check the bill - it is dusky gray to blackish on FCJ (juvenile) birds, becoming orange-red with some remaining dark spots in fall as FCF (HY), and subsequently entirely orange-red as M-FCF (U/AHY).
• Examine the wing for molt limits - sharp contrasts between faded brown juvenile feathers and adjacent fresh reddish or red feathers among the primaries, secondaries, and/or primary coverts is indicative of FCF (HY/SY), whereas uniformly dark brown (female) or reddish (male) feathers in these tracts is indicative of M-FCF (U/AHY).
• Look at the overall plumage, which is largely red on males, and mostly brown on females aside from red on the crest, wings, and tail.

Species account prepared by McGill Bird Observatory (2016). Last updated by Marcel Gahbauer (Mar 2022)