Photographs, art, stories and information about the Northern Cardinal or Redbird as we call them in the south. Cardinal Delights.
Higher Planes of Thinking . Redbird photographic fine art by Rybird.
Female Northern Cardinal taking a break on a branch. Photo by Rybird
The cardinal has spiritual meaning in the Christian faith and to many Native American tribes. Christian symbolism holds that the cardinal's red color symbolizes the blood of Christ. In the Choctaw tradition, cardinals are matchmakers. Cardinals are small red members of the finch family, known for their bright color and piercing calls. Their distinctive red color is considered symbolic by Christians, representing the everlasting vitality of Christ's blood and the fire of the living spirit.
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Known for his color. The redbird.Male northern cardinal photo by Rybird
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Information about the Northern Cardinal or Redbird as we call them down south. "in Louisiana"
Cardinal medicine symbolizes relationships, courtship and monogamy in Native American lore. Cardinals represent a twelve-month cycle. Twelve is considered a powerful cycle in nature as it represents the spectrum of the seasons and the full circle of life. Cycles, life, death & renewal. Cardinals can bring color and vitality into our lives. Their crimson color can remind us of the importance of ourselves as individuals in the circle of life. As the cardinal red color is symbolic of faith, so it can remind us to "keep the faith" though circumstances might look bleak, dark and hopeless.
Cardinals are monogamous birds whose relationships with their spouses are harmonious, romantic and musical. The male and female sing duets, calling similar songs to each other. Native American lore says if a cardinal crosses your path or attracts your attention, and you're single, there may be a romantic relationship in your near future. If you're already in a relationship, you may experience renewed romance and courtship. If you or your partner have been unfaithful, monogamy is the cardinal's message.
Cardinal medicine symbolizes relationships, courtship and monogamy in Native American lore. Cardinals represent a twelve-month cycle. Twelve is considered a powerful cycle in nature as it represents the spectrum of the seasons and the full circle of life. Cycles, life, death & renewal. Cardinals can bring color and vitality into our lives. Their crimson color can remind us of the importance of ourselves as individuals in the circle of life. As the cardinal red color is symbolic of faith, so it can remind us to "keep the faith" though circumstances might look bleak, dark and hopeless.
Cardinals are monogamous birds whose relationships with their spouses are harmonious, romantic and musical. The male and female sing duets, calling similar songs to each other. Native American lore says if a cardinal crosses your path or attracts your attention, and you're single, there may be a romantic relationship in your near future. If you're already in a relationship, you may experience renewed romance and courtship. If you or your partner have been unfaithful, monogamy is the cardinal's message.
Spring Singer. Northern Cardinal Photograph by Rybird. From Cardinal Delights
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The Female Redbird is toned nearly teh same as the pine trees. Photography and work by Rybird. See more birds at Fowl Play
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The cardinal has spiritual meaning in the Christian faith and to many Native American tribes. Christian symbolism holds that the cardinal's red color symbolizes the blood of Christ. In the Choctaw tradition, cardinals are matchmakers. Cardinals are small red members of the finch family, known for their bright color and piercing calls. Their distinctive red color is considered symbolic by Christians, representing the everlasting vitality of Christ's blood and the fire of the living spirit.
Below: Abstract cardinal art by Rybird
Cardinal Ballet Digital Abstract Bird Art by Dabble Bird. Click pic to visit Wings at Dabblebird.com for more like this
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Above: Short video clip of a cardinal call.
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Below: Slide show of the lovely Northern Cardinal or Redbird as we call them down south.
More Cardinal Photos and Stories Below
Cardinal Commander and Lieutenant Bird at the helm of the space shuttle . Photographic art of the Northern Cardinal by Rybird
Redbird and the Art. A Cardinal Art Story
as told to me by a friend
So a fine-looking red bird decked out in cardinal’s vestments walks into a smoky jazz club between sets. He asks the bartender, Honesty, to set him up with seeds and a beer. Honesty is a beautiful female passerine. Surprisingly, her plumage is more beautiful than her brothers’ and male cousins’. Not one to be constrained by avian gender stereotypes, Honesty takes many lovers and is the lead singer in a rock band. When she returns with the seeds and beer, he whispers, “Tell me truly, am I real or merely an image? I have the bill of a cardinal, but the collar of a blue jay and I am confused.” Honesty isn’t really surprised by the question because she has wondered the same thing. She brings out three shiny photographic prints and sets them before the red bird. “Look into the hot pockets reflective prints before you. Reflect upon your reflection and the Truth will be revealed: Are you an authentic cardinal or like the king with no clothes?” (Here the story falls apart because I don’t understand why Honesty calls the Truth prints “hot pockets.”) As the red bird looks into the hot pockets he sees a red feather and a blue feather, but as he concentrates the feathers drop into the reflective surface and red bird sees ….. a yellowish bird – neither red nor blue. Honesty asks, “Well, what is the Truth of your existence?” A startled red bird reveals, “I am neither cardinal nor blue jay but something altogether different. I am the product of a creative process called art.” Honesty nodded wisely.
Juve the cardinal. pastel sketch of juvenile male redbird by Rybird of Dabble Bird. . Click or tap picture to visit the Spartan collection of amateur fine art by Rybird
Upon the Plateau of Lorshire Isle. Be still, and listen to the universe, for it has stories to tell and songs to sing. Sing out, and make noise, for the universe is listening and you have a story to tell and a song to sing. Dreamers, we know who we are, we know the only thing real is the dream. Perchance to dream, ha, perchance to sleep, for the dream is when we are awake. I believe we ultimately came from the stars, were given the spark of life and became the miracle, and we will return to the stars to feed them, so they may burn, that they may continue to emit the flame of life. We are pudding for the stars. Visit the album page by clicking or tapping redbird art above.
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Below: Cosmic and Vine Cardinal. Abstract bird art of a male redbird by Rybird
Cosmic and Vine Cardinal. Abstract bird art of a male redbird by Rybird
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Coloration of the Northern Cardinal. "Redbird"
The colors of the male northern cardinal change with the light. They are orange and red in the front, but the hue seems to change to a darker red in the shade. and on the backs of the wings, they are magenta but in certain lighting, it appears purple or even blue. From: Red coloration of male northern cardinals correlates with mate quality and territory qualityAt: http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/content/10/1/80.full “DISCUSSIONColoration and reproductive success....In northern cardinals, males with redder breast coloration, and specifically with a homogenous distribution of the reddest hue, had higher reproductive success within a breeding season, whereas bright breast hue and bright breast intensity showed positive but nonsignificant correlations with reproductive success..... In cardinals, the most variable plumage character was dull breast hue, which measured the coloration of small patches of dull color interspersed within the larger area of bright red coloration on the breast, and this trait correlated more strongly with all components of reproductive success......” continued below....
The Cardinal Spirit. Redbird photographic art by Rybird
Cardinal Fun Facts.
Cardinals preen their feathers often to maintain the ability to fly.
The life expectancy of a cardinal is about 15 years.
Cardinals do not migrate or mold into a dull color.
The brighter and redder the male cardinal the greater the mating success.
Both Male and Female Cardinals sing.
The male cardinal is especially territorial.
The breeding season of cardinals can run from March to as late as September.
The Story of Sir Cardelot.
Sir Cardelot is one of the most celebrated Cardinals of King Red’s Round Table. Now, it’s still unclear whether Cardelot was a real bird or simply fiction, but he was a valiant redbird in Cardurian legends. He and his fellow redbirds flew across the lands on adventures that tested their courage, strengths and wits. Most famously, Cardelot had an affair with Queen Birdevere, who was said to be one of the most beautiful female redbirds.
Young virgin redbirds were often depicted fawning for him because he was dashing, youthful and, in many ways, perfect. Everything about him attracted other female redbirds and kept the other cardinals riddled with jealousy and admiration.
Cardinals preen their feathers often to maintain the ability to fly.
The life expectancy of a cardinal is about 15 years.
Cardinals do not migrate or mold into a dull color.
The brighter and redder the male cardinal the greater the mating success.
Both Male and Female Cardinals sing.
The male cardinal is especially territorial.
The breeding season of cardinals can run from March to as late as September.
The Story of Sir Cardelot.
Sir Cardelot is one of the most celebrated Cardinals of King Red’s Round Table. Now, it’s still unclear whether Cardelot was a real bird or simply fiction, but he was a valiant redbird in Cardurian legends. He and his fellow redbirds flew across the lands on adventures that tested their courage, strengths and wits. Most famously, Cardelot had an affair with Queen Birdevere, who was said to be one of the most beautiful female redbirds.
Young virgin redbirds were often depicted fawning for him because he was dashing, youthful and, in many ways, perfect. Everything about him attracted other female redbirds and kept the other cardinals riddled with jealousy and admiration.
Continues...” ….The results of this study present a complicated picture for future work on mate choice in northern cardinals. The importance of red coloration in this species presents the possibility that females are choosing males based on color, as demonstrated in other species. However, laboratory experiments using both unmanipulated and manipulated plumage of males have revealed no evidence for female mating preferences for redder males. The prolonged period of interactions before breeding (January through May) may limit the reliance of females on simple indicators of male quality, relative to species such as barn swallows where pairing occurs within days of arrival on the breeding grounds. At the same time, territory quality is a direct correlate of nesting success in cardinals......” references are available at original url above.
Rybird corollary, While the bright red colors of the male redbird attract more female redbirds, there is much more to it, such as territory and many other factors, just like having pretty blue eyes doesn't guarantee you will be married and live happily ever after.
Rybird corollary, While the bright red colors of the male redbird attract more female redbirds, there is much more to it, such as territory and many other factors, just like having pretty blue eyes doesn't guarantee you will be married and live happily ever after.