The perception that a bird is repeating the phrase “cheater cheater cheater” is a common experience for many people across North America. This phonetic interpretation points directly to the characteristic song of one of the continent’s most recognizable backyard residents. The distinctive, rapid, and repeated quality of the song makes it sound remarkably like a string of human syllables.
Unmasking the “Cheater” Bird
The bird most widely associated with the repetitive, whistled song that listeners often interpret as “cheater cheater cheater” is the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). The Northern Cardinal is a non-migratory species, meaning its song can be heard year-round, which contributes to the widespread recognition of its call. However, it is worth noting that the smaller Carolina Wren also has a loud, rapid song that is sometimes described using the exact same “cheater” phrase, though the Cardinal’s song is generally much clearer and more prominent in many regions.
Decoding the Song and Its Variations
The actual sound produced by the Northern Cardinal is a rich, high-pitched whistle that usually lasts for two to three seconds. The song is not a single fixed pattern but a string of two-part slurred notes that often accelerate in pace toward the end. Other common interpretations of the Cardinal’s song include “purty purty purty” or “what-cheer, cheer, cheer,” highlighting the song’s variability and pure, clear acoustic quality. The bird produces these complex vocalizations using the syrinx, a specialized organ that allows some songbirds to generate two tones simultaneously.
The song is dimorphic, meaning there are subtle differences between the songs of males and females, though they sound similar to the human ear. Regional differences, or dialects, also exist in the Cardinal’s extensive song repertoire, which can include up to 16 distinct calls. The male bird tends to sing more frequently, but the female’s vocalizations are generally longer and more complex, making the Cardinal unusual among North American songbirds. Young cardinals learn the specific song dialects of their local area, which aids in their social integration and ability to establish territory.
Visual Identification and Geographic Range
The adult male bird is unmistakable, covered in a brilliant red plumage, contrasted by a black mask around its thick, conical, reddish-pink bill. Both sexes possess a distinctive, prominent crest of feathers that they can raise or lower depending on their mood. The female is less conspicuous, displaying a reddish-brown coloration with reddish accents on her wings, crest, and tail.
The bird is a common sight in a wide variety of habitats, including suburban backyards, parks, dense thickets, and forest edges. Its broad geographic range covers the eastern and central parts of North America, extending as far north as southeastern Canada. The species is a permanent resident throughout its range and does not migrate, allowing people to enjoy its presence and song all year long. Although primarily an eastern bird, local populations can also be found in the desert Southwest.
The Purpose of the Repeated Call
The loud, repeated vocalizations of the Northern Cardinal serve functions related to its survival and reproduction. The primary purpose of the male’s song is to defend its nesting territory and to communicate its fitness to potential mates. Singing from a high, visible perch ensures the song travels far, establishing clear boundaries for rival males. The repeated, rhythmic nature of the call, which sounds like “cheater cheater cheater” to us, helps to effectively broadcast the bird’s claim over an area.
An interesting behavioral detail is that female cardinals also sing, a trait not shared by most female songbirds in the region. Female song is most common in the early spring before the start of nesting, and it is thought to play a role in communicating with the male during courtship and nesting coordination. Sometimes, a mated pair will even sing in a duet, an action believed to strengthen their pair bond.