There is a good reason the Northern Cardinal is our North Carolina State Bird.
Cardinals are here year-round.
We get to enjoy the brilliant scarlet plumage of the male and the subtle shades of the female. Both male and female sing equally well and their song is clear and melodic. During nesting season you may observe a pair of Cardinals mate-feeding at your feeder. In this, the male picks up a bit of food, hops over to the female, and the two momentarily touch beaks as she takes the food. If you see this behavior, there s a good chance the two will nest in your yard.