The Singing Behavior of Female Northern Cardinals

Abstract

Observations were made and playback experiments were performed in central Kentucky in an attempt to determine the function(s) of singing by female Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis). Singing by female cardinals was uncommon and was noted primarily during the period after males had established territories and before nesting had begun (early March to mid-May). When singing, females were generally joined by singing mates. Experiments revealed that females rarely sang in response to playback of male or female songs. Such evidence suggests that singing by female Northern Cardinals is important in pair bonding and, perhaps, in reproductive synchronization.