![]() Nests are built by the female in dense tangles of vines or twigs in shrubs and small trees. The second nest is often parasitized by brown-headed cowbirds. They usually raise two broods a year, one beginning around March and the second in late May to July. Northern cardinals breed between March and September. Breeding pairs may remain together year-round, and may breed together for several seasons. The male performs a variety of displays to attract a female, including courtship feeding. Pair formation begins in early spring, and is initiated with a variety of physical displays. In one study, 9 to 35% of nestlings were the result of extra-pair copulations. Despite being monogamous, northern cardinals frequently engage in extra-pair copulations. Northern cardinals are serially monogamous, though polygyny occasionally occurs.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |