The sounds of nature often captivate us, especially when they seem to mimic human speech. Many bird calls distinctly sound like recognizable words or phrases, sparking curiosity about the avian vocalist. This phenomenon highlights the diverse and complex vocalizations present in the natural world.
Identifying the Distinctive Call
The bird most frequently associated with the “cheater cheater cheater” call is the Northern Cardinal. This medium-sized songbird is readily identified by its striking appearance. The male Northern Cardinal is a vibrant, brilliant red, complemented by a reddish bill and a black mask around its eyes and beak. Females are a pale brown with warm reddish tinges on their wings, tail, and crest, also featuring a black face and a red-orange bill. These distinctive birds are a common sight in backyards, parks, and suburban areas, making their unique calls familiar to many.
Deciphering the Cardinal’s Song
The Northern Cardinal’s song can be interpreted as “cheater cheater cheater” due to its rhythmic, whistled quality and repetitive pattern. Their song is a loud string of clear, down-slurred or two-parted whistles, often speeding up and ending in a slow trill. This vocalization serves multiple biological purposes, primarily territorial defense, allowing males to mark and protect their breeding grounds.
The songs also attract mates and facilitate communication between cardinals. Both male and female Northern Cardinals sing, which is somewhat unusual among North American songbirds, though the male’s song is often more prominent. Female cardinals may sing from the nest, possibly to inform the male about bringing food. While the “cheater” interpretation is a human perception, these clear, whistled phrases are fundamental to their survival and reproduction.
Beyond the Call: The Northern Cardinal’s Life
The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a songbird measuring 8 to 9 inches (20-23 cm) in length, with a wingspan of 9.8 to 12.2 inches (25-31 cm). Both sexes possess a prominent crest and a short, thick, cone-shaped bill, well-suited for cracking seeds. These birds are widely distributed across eastern and central North America, extending from southeastern Canada down through the eastern United States, and further south into Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. They are non-migratory, remaining in their habitats year-round, providing a consistent splash of color and song even in winter.
Northern Cardinals thrive in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, forest edges, gardens, parks, and suburban areas. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and fruits, supplemented with insects; they are frequent visitors to bird feeders, showing a particular fondness for sunflower seeds. The female cardinal typically builds a cup-shaped nest from coarse twigs, leaves, and other plant materials, often lined with softer elements. Nests are usually well-hidden in dense shrubs, small trees, or vine tangles, typically 3 to 15 feet above ground. Cardinals often raise multiple broods, with the male assisting with feeding the young.