this post was submitted on 13 Jun 2024
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A pair of male and female cardinals arguing about seeds πŸ₯° (lemmy.ca)
submitted 5 months ago by pwnna@lemmy.ca to c/birding@lemmy.world
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[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 15 points 5 months ago (5 children)

Question: Was the male giving the female seed?

I ask because my birdfeeder camera often captures our male feeding his mate, and I was puzzled when I first saw it. Is this normal behaviour?

[–] CylonBunny@lemmy.world 9 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Yes! It is normal, and so cute! They mate for life too.

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 11 points 5 months ago

Male cardinals feed females when courting them and again when the female is incubating and can't forage for herself.

What a gentleman! 😁

[–] RunningInRVA@lemmy.world 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Hate to burst your bubble but according to the link you supplied, they in fact do not mate for life (always).

Cardinal Relationships: Bonded, but not Always for Life

Male and female cardinals don't necessarily mate for life. Although pairs may stay together for multiple years, they do sometimes seek out new mates. One study of a cardinal population in Ohio found that 20 percent of pairs separated during the breeding season and 10 percent more split up over the winter.

[–] CylonBunny@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

That makes me a little sad, but it’s good to know!

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