Cardinals are bright red songbirds found in North America. The males have vivid crimson plumage, while females are a duller olive color. Cardinals are easily identified by their distinctive plumage, pointed crest, thick beaks, and loud songs.
Appearance
The feathers that cover a male cardinal’s body give it its brilliant red color. Cardinals molt and replace their feathers annually. New feathers push out old, worn feathers. Molting occurs after breeding season ends.
Cardinal feathers are made up of a central shaft called a rachis. Thin barbs branch off the rachis, and even thinner barbules branch off the barbs. The barbules have tiny hooks that latch the barbs together, creating a smooth feather surface.
Pigments called carotenoids embedded in the feathers give cardinals their red hue. Diet influences the exact shade. Cardinals that consume more red berries and insects acquire deeper red plumage.
In addition to body feathers, cardinals have different kinds of feathers that serve special purposes:
- Flight feathers on the wings and tail provide lift and allow the bird to fly.
- Contour feathers streamline the bird’s body shape.
- Down feathers trap air close to the skin for insulation.
- Filoplumes sense movement around the body.
Females are mostly brownish-gray with red accents in their wings, tails, and crests. The dimorphism helps camouflage nesting females.
Molting
Cardinals molt once a year after breeding season. Molting is carefully timed so that it doesn’t interfere with critical life stages like mating and raising young.
The molting sequence starts with head and body feathers. Wing and tail feathers are replaced later. This prevents the loss of too many flight feathers at once, which would ground the birds.
Molting lasts 6-8 weeks. Cardinals look ragged during this time as old feathers fall out and new pins emerge. The photo below shows a cardinal in active molt:
During molting, cardinals are vulnerable to predators. They spend more time hiding in dense bushes to avoid danger.
Feather Growth
Feathers grow from a follicle in the bird’s skin. The base of the follicle contains blood vessels that supply nutrients for growth. The lower end of the follicle also contains the germinal layer where cells divide to build the feather.
As the feather grows, it is encased in a sheath of keratin. This protective sheath falls away when the feather reaches full size. The bare feather then emerges from the follicle.
It takes 3-6 weeks for a full feather to regrow. Cardinals may appear scruffy during this time. But once the new plumage comes in, males will again have vivid red feathers for attracting mates.
Preening
Cardinals spend time each day preening their feathers. Preening involves running feathers through the bird’s bill to zip up the tiny barb hooks and smooth the plumage.
Preen oil from a gland near the base of the tail helps clean and condition feathers. The oil contains vitamin D to promote feather growth and vitamin E as an antioxidant.
In addition to smoothing feathers, preening has other benefits:
- Removes dirt and parasites
- Redistributes protective oils
- Realigns feathers for optimal insulation and flight
A few preening sessions daily helps keep a cardinal’s vibrant feathers in peak condition.
Color Variations
Although red is the classic cardinal hue, some color variants exist in the wild. Partial albinism can produce white patches on the wings, back, or head. Incomplete carotenoid absorption can result in pale yellow or orange birds.
Melanistic cardinals with an excess of black pigment may appear deep red or even blackish. Some females may display male-like plumage. While striking, these color aberrations reduce the birds’ ability to blend in.
| Color Variant | Description |
|---|---|
| Albino | Partial or complete lack of melanin pigment resulting in white patches or completely white plumage |
| Xanthochroism | Deficiency in red carotenoids causes pale yellow/orange coloration |
| Melanism | Increased melanin deposits create darker feathers, from deep red to black |
| Erythrism | Increased red pigments cause females to take on male-like red hues |
Feather Care Tips
Here are some ways you can promote healthy feathers in backyard cardinals:
- Offer nuts, berries, and seeds rich in nutrients for feather growth.
- Provide a bird bath so they can preen and clean feathers.
- Avoid pesticides that could damage feathers or be ingested.
- Put up nest boxes to provide safe molting sites.
- Limit outdoor cats that may prey on molting birds.
Providing good habitat helps cardinals successfully molt their feathers and regrow their trademark red coloring every year.
Conclusion
Cardinal feathers contain unique pigments and structures that give males their brilliant crimson hue. Feathers undergo an annual molting process, which temporarily makes cardinals more vulnerable. But cardinals have adapted behaviors and careful timing of molting to minimize risks.
While cardinals are best known for their red plumage, some interesting color variants can occur in the wild. With proper habitat and nutrition, cardinals can continually regrow fresh, vibrant feathers to delight birdwatchers.
