Every once in a while I like to devote a column to one specific bird, hoping this will be either an introduction or a refresher on knowledge. This column spotlights the cardinal - a favorite of all. Northern Cardinals, sometimes casually called "redbirds," are the state bird in seven states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. They are mascots to many athletic teams including those at Ball State University and the St. Louis baseball team.

Some interesting aspects: cardinals are socially monogamous; the brilliant red-colored males are slightly larger than drabber brownish-tan females; and they use stems, twigs, and grasses to build their nests, usually 2-10 feet off the ground in dense shrubbery. They usually raise two broods a year. It takes 11-13 days to hatch the eggs, and the same amount of time for the babies to fledge. During incubation the male brings food to the female. Later both parents feed the nestlings insects, and they continue feeding the chicks for a month or more after fledging.

You may have noticed that most cardinals do not migrate. They usually flock together until mating time when they become territorial. Homeowners experience great angst when the male cardinal does battle with his image seen in a window or car side mirror. Cardinals use song and physical displays to communicate. You will hear their sounds like "whoit, whoit, whoit" and "wha-cheer wha-cheer." They also use a continuous call of "chips," raising and lowering the crest, and "tail-flicks" to signal alarms.

They benefit us by eating large quantities of seeds and fruits, dispersing seeds for some plants. We are lucky to have such cheery, colorful birds frequent our backyard birdfeeders. To attract them, fill your feeders with black oil sunflower or safflower. Cardinals usually feed first thing in the morning and just before sunset. Enjoy providing tasty treats for the cardinal and see how many pairs you can attract.