Today’s photo feature is a heartwarming scene that unfolded right here in my Arkansas backyard! It’s a picture of a male Northern Cardinal feeding a female Northern Cardinal. They were perched on a branch I put up just for the birds, close to my bird feeder.
This sweet act of food sharing is actually quite common among Northern Cardinals. But why does the male take on this responsibility? There are actually a few key reasons:
- Keeping Momma on the Nest: When the female cardinal is incubating eggs, she spends most of her time sitting on the nest. The male steps up and brings her food, ensuring she doesn’t have to leave the vulnerable eggs exposed to predators.
- Energy Boost for Egg Production: Laying and incubating eggs takes a lot out of a female bird. By providing food, the male helps her conserve precious energy during this critical breeding season.
- Building a Strong Partnership: This food exchange is a form of courtship behavior. It strengthens the bond between the male and female cardinal and shows her that he’s capable of providing for their future offspring.
- Supporting Mom After Hatching: Even after the chicks hatch, the male’s work isn’t done! He continues to bring food to the female so she can focus on keeping the chicks warm and fed.
For the northern cardinals in my backyard, I was lucky to witness such nurturing behavior between this bonded couple as they prepare for their upcoming family duties. Seeing the brilliant male carefully tending to his female partner was a touching glimpse into the natural world unfolding right outside my window.