Last updated on May 11th, 2023 at 03:33 pm
Cardinals are delightful to see — their vibrant colors draw many people’s attention as they sing their morning songs. These bright red birds prefer warm, humid climates but can handle winter well. But are they rare to see in the state of Florida?
Northern Cardinals are not rare birds to see in Florida. The redbird can be found throughout the Sunshine State all year long. However, the Red-crested Cardinal is much rarer to see and can be spotted infrequently.
What You Need To Know About Cardinals in Florida
Cardinals are beautifully colored birds and have been made the state bird of seven different states, which include:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Virginia
- West Virginia
The most common type of cardinal found in Florida is the northern cardinal, which is known for its distinctive bright red coloring.
The songbird can easily be spotted in backyard bird feeders and parks. However, males and females have different colorations.
Male cardinals are bright red and are much easier to spot than their female counterparts.
The male cardinal also has black feathers surrounding its eyes and an orange beak.
Female northern cardinals are less vibrant. They are brownish-gray tinged with dark reddish-orange colors along their outer feathers.
So there is a good chance you have seen a female cardinal but were unaware of it.
These birds are about 8-9 inches in length and weigh around 1.5 ounces.
These unique birds also mate for life and are known for being extremely territorial over their mates and nests.
This is especially true of the male birds who frequently risk their lives to protect their partner and eggs.
If you want to learn more about cardinal behavior, watch the video The Northern Cardinal – 10 Fun Facts:
How Many Types of Cardinals Are There?
There are over 19 types of cardinals, but not all of these cardinals reside in the United States.
In fact, the only two that are commonly found in the US are the Northern Cardinal, and the Red-crested Cardinal.
Occasionally different species of cardinal may be spotted in the states.
The most common species of cardinals that can be found:
- Northern Cardinal: This species of cardinal is the most widely known species of cardinal, and it’s the type you are most likely to see in Florida.
- Vermilion Cardinal: This bird is known for its electric red plumage and prefers tropical or subtropical climates to make its home.
- Desert Cardinal: The desert cardinal has a gray coloration with a red tinge along its face and feathers. As the name hints, this bird prefers to call desert biomes its home.
- Red-crested Cardinal: This bird’s coloration is unique since it’s primarily gray and white with a bright red head. This species of cardinal is more common outside of the United States but has been spotted in Hawaii.
- Yellow Cardinal: These birds are known for their bright yellow feathers and are considered rare due to the illegal capture and sale of the birds. They like to make their homes in woodlands and grasslands but can also be found in parks or neighborhoods.
These cardinals are the most popular birds you may encounter in your travels.
The northern cardinal is the species you are most likely to see in Florida.
But recent accounts have stated that yellow cardinals have been spotted in Northern Florida.
Are Cardinals Considered Migratory Birds?
Cardinals are not considered migratory birds, as they enjoy living in climates like Florida and Georgia.
These birds will stick around through the warm and cold parts of the seasons, provided they have adequate shelter and access to food.
However, they may migrate within their desired climate.
Cardinals don’t migrate as they have perfected their survival during the colder months and have no need to flee to warmer temperatures.
This may be primarily due to the constant supply of bird seed from feeders these birds now have access to.
US States Cardinals Can Be Found In
These birds are popular, especially since they are the birds of choice for 7 states.
But which states do they actually call home?
States where cardinals can be found:
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Missouri
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Wisconsin
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Oklahoma
These are the states that cardinals are most likely to be spotted in. However, other states may occasionally receive a visit from these remarkable birds.
So keep an eye out for their berry red feathers.
How To Attract Cardinals to Your Yard in Florida
If you haven’t spotted a cardinal in your yard, not to worry. You can use several ways to draw them in to stay. What you will need:
- Birdseed containing sunflower seeds
- A bird feeder
- A bird bath
If you are looking for a good brand of bird seed specifically for cardinals, consider Audubon Parks Cardinal Blend Wild Bird Food (available on Amazon.com).
This bird seed is made up of black oil sunflower seeds and safflower seeds which are sure to attract cardinals.
Also, if you don’t already own a suitable bird feeder to attract cardinals, have a look at the Absolute II Cardinal Bird Feeder (available on Amazon.com).
This feeder works well with sunflower seeds and will attract not just cardinals, but a variety of birds.
How to attract cardinals to your property:
- Place the bird feeder in a safe spot. You should aim to place the feeder in a tree or on a long post where outdoor cats and other predators have difficulty reaching it. The feeder should also be placed somewhere with good plant coverage to protect the cardinals from predatory birds.
- Set out a bird bath. Regular access to clean water is more likely to draw birds like cardinals in and keep them returning.
- Keep your bird feeders constantly stocked. If you let your feeders run out of food, the cardinals will be less likely to set up a home in your yard, and they will search for a more reliable source of nutrients.
- Maintain a lush yard with plenty of places for cardinals to nest. Cardinals live in trees and large shrubs, so it’s a good idea to maintain yours and add more foliage to your landscape.
It’s not too difficult to attract cardinals to your yard but it will take time for the new birds to trust and rely on you and your steady supply of bird seed.
If you’re beginning to see less of these enchanting red birds, consider our article on why your backyard cardinals have disappeared.