The Cardinal Rule of Relationships

Male northern cardinal

Valentine’s Day has come and gone for yet another year, and it seems as though the passion and romance that is attributed to this holiday is simmering down to the routines that are a part of every couple’s lives. However, for northern cardinals there is no such thing as settling down into an easy, no work relationship. Constant courtship is the key to any cardinal family, with signs of commitment and affection keeping a pair together year-round. Males don’t just stick around for the lively breeding season, they also need to be supportive partners and help with domestic tasks and raising their young. During the courtship period the male will bring sticks and other building material to the female for nest building. He also will bring her food and gently feed her, beak to beak, before and after any eggs are laid. Fiercely defending their territory, the male cardinals never stray long from their mate and progeny. This continued commitment throughout the parenting process is sure sign of good mate selection. Maybe we would all benefit from taking relationship notes from northern cardinals: striving to continually and passionately woo our partners well after the initial flare of romance has passed.

Left: male / Right: female