The Northern Cardinal is a familiar and striking bird, easily recognized by its vibrant plumage and crest. Many people observe these birds in pairs, leading to a common question about their mating behaviors. Observers often wonder if these visually prominent birds form bonds that last for their entire lives.
Understanding Cardinal Pair Bonds
Northern Cardinals are socially monogamous, meaning they form strong pair bonds, often for at least one breeding season, and sometimes for multiple years. While the phrase “mate for life” is frequently associated with them, many pairs stay together year-round, even through the winter months. This year-round association is more common in non-migratory birds like cardinals.
Courtship behaviors, such as the male feeding the female beak-to-beak, strengthen these connections, and this “mate-feeding” continues through the egg-laying and incubation phases. This ritual is a display of the male’s ability to provide resources, which helps solidify the pair’s commitment. Studies indicate that around 80% of Northern Cardinal pairs remain together for successive breeding seasons. Their strong pair bonds are also supported by the male’s territorial defense, which limits interference from other birds.
Shared Responsibilities During Breeding Season
During the breeding season, Northern Cardinal pairs share responsibilities to ensure the success of their offspring. The female primarily constructs the nest, using twigs, leaves, and grass. The male often assists by bringing nesting materials to the female. This division of labor exemplifies their partnership in raising young.
Once eggs are laid, the female typically undertakes the incubation, which lasts about 11 to 13 days. During this period, the male plays a crucial role by bringing food to the incubating female, ensuring she maintains her energy. After the chicks hatch, both parents participate in feeding the nestlings, providing insects. This shared parental care continues until the young fledge and even for several weeks afterward.
Continuity and Changes in Pairings
While many Northern Cardinal pairs maintain their bonds across multiple breeding seasons, these partnerships are not always permanent. Approximately 20% of cardinal pairs may separate by the following breeding season. One common reason for a pair bond to dissolve is the death of one partner, in which case the surviving cardinal will typically seek a new mate relatively quickly. This adaptability ensures continued reproductive success for the individual.
Separations can also occur even if both partners are alive, sometimes referred to as “divorce” in avian behavior. Unsuccessful nesting attempts, such as nest failures or predation, can be a factor contributing to a pair’s decision to split. Although less common, some studies indicate that extra-pair copulations, where a bird mates outside its established pair bond, can also occur, though these instances are relatively rare compared to other bird species. Despite these potential changes, the overall pattern for Northern Cardinals is one of forming strong, often enduring, partnerships that support their reproductive efforts.