As people spend more time at home, backyard birding has recently increased in popularity. Small birds are interesting and social creatures, and it’s said that when a wild bird joyfully sings, it’s an indication that all is peaceful and well. Watching and listening to the birds outside your window can bring entertainment and relaxation for those with a watchful eye.
Northern Cardinal
These familiar birds are commonly seen around backyard feeders across the United States and North America. The males are bright red, while the females are duller brown, but all cardinals have a bright orange-red beak. The cardinal’s song is well-loved and lilting, and although humans can’t discern the difference between them, male and female cardinals have completely different songs. In nest building, males bring twigs to females, who use their beaks and bodies to create a custom-fitted nest.
Where to Find Them
Cardinals can be found in gardens, wetlands, and woodlands. They are “ground feeders,” which means they like to hop around on the ground looking for grains, sunflower seeds, bits of fruit, and insects. Some of their favorite seeds are safflower seeds (which other critters, like squirrels, avoid), so adding them to your backyard feeders will help attract cardinals. Because male cardinals get their red coloring from the carotenoids in their diet, offering more high-quality food can affect their feathers’ brightness.
These much-beloved birds are the state birds of seven states and hold that title more than any other wild bird species. Cardinals are also the mascots of numerous professional and amateur sports teams and universities. They’re protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and the Convention for the Protection of Migratory Birds in Canada, making it illegal to capture, kill, or own them as pets. In folklore, cardinals often represent good luck and blessings from distant loved ones.
Downy Woodpecker
Downy woodpeckers are the smallest woodpeckers in the United States, measuring about 5 1/2″ – 7″. Their feathers are black and white, and males have a small red patch on the back of their heads. They like old-growth deciduous forests and brush, and like most wild birds, they like to eat insects, seeds, and fruit. Because of their small size, they can forage in tiny branches that would be unsuitable for larger woodpeckers. They also love suet cakes in backyard feeders.
Males and females participate equally in tree excavation for nest building (in which they build a new nest every year). They are also equal partners in the incubation and feeding of new chicks. At times, you can hear the drumming of these woodpeckers while nesting or mating, as this is the mode of communication they often choose over singing. If no tree trunk is available, they will drum on metal fixtures or siding to achieve the same effect.