If you’ve been hearing more cardinal songs lately, you’re not imagining things. February marks a noticeable surge in cardinal singing—bright, bold whistles that ring through cold mornings and grey afternoons. It’s one of the earliest signs that spring is stirring, even while snow still covers the ground.
The February Song Surge: What You’re Hearing in Your Backyard
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Check PriceCardinals ramp up their singing in February due to lengthening days triggering hormonal changes that kick off breeding season, even in cold weather. As daylight extends—even by just a few minutes each day—it signals to cardinals that it’s time to prepare for nesting. This photoperiod change activates reproductive hormones in both male and female cardinals, resulting in the loud, varied songs you hear echoing through your neighborhood.
Unlike many songbirds that migrate south for winter, Northern Cardinals are year-round residents across most of their range, from the eastern United States to parts of the Southwest. This means they’re already on their breeding territory when February arrives. They don’t need to travel back from warmer climates—they’re ready to go as soon as the days start lengthening. This gives cardinals a head start on the breeding season compared to migratory species.
The singing you’re hearing isn’t just random chirping. It’s purposeful communication. Male cardinals are establishing territory boundaries, warning rival males to stay away, and advertising their fitness to potential mates. Even when temperatures hover near freezing, their internal clocks are set by daylight, not temperature. That’s why you’ll hear them singing vigorously on cold February mornings when other wildlife seems dormant.
Why February Stands Out Over Other Months
Unlike winter’s quiet chirps, February marks the peak start of loud territorial and mating songs as birds like the Northern Cardinal respond to daylight increases before spring fully arrives. During December and January, cardinals are mostly quiet, conserving energy and focusing on finding food to survive winter. But by February, something shifts dramatically.
The key difference is volume and consistency. In January, you might hear an occasional cardinal song, brief and tentative. By February, male cardinals are singing from dawn until dusk, often from the highest perches they can find. They’re claiming their space and making sure every other cardinal within earshot knows this territory is taken. This territorial behavior is critical—a well-defended territory with good food sources and nesting sites will attract a mate and support a family through multiple broods.
February also stands out because it’s when you’ll start hearing both male and female cardinals singing. While male cardinals do most of the singing year-round, females join in during breeding season with their own songs. Female cardinal songs are often slightly softer but just as complex as male songs. They use these vocalizations to communicate with their mates, sometimes singing duets from separate perches. This vocal partnership helps strengthen pair bonds and coordinate nesting activities.
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The timing makes ecological sense. Cardinals typically begin nesting in March or early April, depending on their location. By starting their courtship and territory establishment in February, they’re positioned to build nests and lay eggs as soon as conditions are favorable. This early start allows them to raise multiple broods—often three or four—during a single breeding season, maximizing their reproductive success.
Cardinal Songs Up Close: Territory, Mates, and Backyard Sounds
Male cardinals perch high and sing bold, varied songs in February to claim territory and attract mates, with both sexes joining in this non-migratory species’ early breeding ritual. If you listen closely, you’ll notice that each male cardinal has a repertoire of different song types—anywhere from eight to twelve distinct variations. These songs typically consist of clear, slurred whistles that sound like “cheer-cheer-cheer,” “birdie-birdie-birdie,” or “what-cheer, what-cheer.”
Cardinals are remarkably consistent in their singing locations. You’ll often see the same male returning to the same high branch or rooftop edge morning after morning. These prominent perches serve as broadcast stations, allowing their songs to carry across their entire territory. A typical cardinal territory ranges from two to ten acres, depending on habitat quality and food availability.
The songs serve multiple purposes simultaneously. To rival males, they’re a clear warning: this space is occupied and defended. To potential mates, they demonstrate the male’s health, vigor, and genetic quality. A male that can sing loudly and frequently while also maintaining good body condition proves he has access to quality resources. Females pay attention to these signals when choosing mates.
Female cardinal songs are equally fascinating. When females sing, they’re often communicating specific information to their mates—sometimes signaling they need to be fed while incubating eggs, or coordinating nest-building activities. This back-and-forth vocal communication is part of what makes cardinals such successful breeders. The pair bond is strong, and many cardinal pairs stay together year after year.
Attract More Cardinals This February: Simple Yard Tips
Boost your chances of hearing these songs by offering black oil sunflower seeds, dense shrubs for nesting, and fresh water to make your backyard a prime February hotspot. Cardinals are relatively easy to attract if you provide what they need, and February is the perfect time to make your yard more cardinal-friendly before nesting begins.
Start with food. Black oil sunflower seeds are the gold standard for cardinals, though they’ll also eat safflower seeds, cracked corn, and peanut pieces. Use platform feeders or large hopper feeders that accommodate their size and strong beaks. Keep feeders stocked consistently—cardinals often feed in the early morning and late afternoon, so make sure food is available during these peak times.
Next, think about habitat. Cardinals prefer dense shrubs and small trees for nesting, especially evergreens like juniper, holly, or dense deciduous shrubs like dogwood and viburnum. If you’re planning spring landscaping, native shrubs between four and eight feet tall are ideal. These provide both nesting sites and natural food sources like berries.
Water is crucial year-round, but especially during late winter when natural sources may be frozen. A heated birdbath or one with a small water heater will attract cardinals daily. They need water for drinking and bathing, even in February. Place the birdbath near cover so birds feel safe approaching it.
Finally, reduce window collisions. With all this increased activity and territorial chasing in February, cardinals are more prone to window strikes. Apply window decals or screens to prevent these accidents, especially on large windows that reflect trees and sky.
By creating this welcoming environment now, you’re not just attracting singing cardinals this February—you’re setting the stage for successful nesting throughout spring and summer. Small changes like these can transform your backyard into a cardinal haven where you’ll enjoy their brilliant color and beautiful songs all year long. Happy birding!