Are Cardinals Rare in Florida?

Hey birding friend! Have you ever wondered if you can spot the bright red Northern Cardinal in the Sunshine State? I‘ve gotten this question a lot in my years birdwatching in Florida. While cardinals are common in many parts of the eastern U.S., Florida is one state where cardinals are considered rare and elusive for much of the year.

In this guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about cardinals in Florida – from their habitat preferences, migration patterns, and breeding behaviors to the best spots for sightings and tips to attract them to your own backyard. Let‘s dive in!

Why Are Cardinals Uncommon in Florida?

Cardinals are only scarce residents in Florida because the state lacks the ideal mixed habitat these birds prefer. Here are some of the main reasons:

Habitat limitations – Cardinals thrive in a mosaic of open woodlands, forest edges, thickets, and suburban yards with cover. But Florida is dominated by wetlands, pine forests, tropical hardwood hammocks and urban development.
Temporary winter migrations – Cardinals are abundant in northern Florida only during the winter months when they migrate from further north. Come spring, most return back to their breeding grounds up north.
Competition from other birds – Florida is home to over 500 bird species that compete with cardinals for food and nesting spots. Tropical species tend to dominate habitat niches.
Lack of shelter – Cardinals need dense bushes, vines and trees to forage and take refuge in. Florida‘s open terrain does not offer much protective cover.

According to a detailed estimate by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, only around 15% of Florida can be considered suitable cardinal habitat. That‘s a big reason why cardinals are local and rare most of the year. But let‘s learn more about their annual migration and habitat use.

Seasonal Migration Into and Out of Florida

Cardinals are partially migratory songbirds. While some may be permanent residents, northern cardinals migrate southward in fall and early winter from September through November.

Banding data from the U.S. Geological Survey shows the majority of northern cardinals wintering in Florida arrive from neighboring states like Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee. A smaller number migrate from as far north as Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York.

By late winter, as early as February, cardinals start their return migration back to their breeding territories up north. Spring migration peaks in March but can extend into May.

The map below from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology visually shows the northern cardinal‘s migration routes and times:

[Insert map showing migration routes from north to Florida in fall/early winter, and return migration in spring]

So in a nutshell, cardinals are most widespread and numerous during December and January in Florida. But by late spring, only a small breeding population remains scattered around the state.

Ideal Habitat Allows Some Year-Round Populations

The northern cardinal is flexible and uses diverse habitats throughout its range. But it thrives best in certain conditions:

Mixed woodlands – Forest edges, open woods interspersed with clearings
Thickets – Dense tangles of shrubs, vines and brush ideal for nesting
Suburban areas – Backyards, parks and gardens with mature trees and shrubs
Riparian zones – River and stream corridors lined with deciduous trees

Florida offers these ideal habitats mainly in the:

Northern third of the state near the GA border
Panhandle region with pockets of ideal forests
Scattered inland wooded areas around central Florida

So northern Florida and some parts of the panhandle support year-round cardinal populations. Other areas only see them seasonally or in very limited numbers.

Studies show urban and suburban yards make up a major part of cardinal habitat in Florida. Backyards with feeders, borders with dense cover and fruiting shrubs sustain cardinals well.

Ideal Habitats Are Shrinking in Florida

The one major threat to the northern cardinal‘s future in Florida is habitat loss.

Urbanization has led to clearing of forests and draining of wetlands. Since the 1970s, Florida has lost over 4 million acres of rural land to development. Cardinals rely on varied woods and brushy fields, which are declining.

Agriculture also consumes vast acreage, reducing sheltering thickets and native plants that provide food.

Habitat loss explains why cardinals are declining in parts of their Florida range compared to elsewhere. But well-planted suburban yards offer oases if native plants are used.

Appearance, Song and Behavior

The brilliant crimson plumage of male cardinals and their subtler brownish-orange mates make them a delight to observe.

Some key identification features include:

Size: Around 8.5 inches long with a 12 inch wingspan
Bill: Thick, conical and red on males, reddish on females
Plumage: Vibrant red on males with black face; females have soft reddish-brown overall
- Song: Flute-like whistles; frequent metallic "chip!" call

Cardinals are quite social and mate for life. Small flocks of 5-10 birds will stay together on feeding and roosting territories.

You‘ll often hear cardinals singing from high perches, especially persistently during spring mating season. Listen for their melodious song that rises and falls like a wave.

Fun fact – the cardinal pair coordinates their duets! The male starts the song and the female later joins in when he pauses.

Diet: What Do Cardinals Eat?

Cardinals have diverse tastes and eat a varied diet:

Seeds: From wild grasses, flowers and agricultural crops. Black oil sunflower seed is a favorite.
Fruit: Berries from dogwood, pyracantha, wild grape, sumac and other shrubs. Also eats citrus and figs.
Insects/arthropods: Beetles, crickets, spiders, snails, caterpillars and more. Important when breeding.
Sap: Cardinals drink sap from holes pecked in trees by woodpeckers.
Suet: High energy fat supplement offered at feeders.
Grit: Small pebbles help cardinals grind and digest their food in their crop.

Offer sunflower seeds, suet, mealworms, chopped fruit and peanut butter at feeders to attract cardinals. They appreciate a water source too like a bird bath or fountain.

Nesting and Raising Young

After choosing a mate, cardinals start scouting for nest sites in early spring. The cup-shaped nests are made of small twigs, stems, leaves, bark and lined with softer grass and hair.

Favored placement is in a dense shrub or small tree around 3-10 feet off the ground, obscured by foliage. Both parents build the nest over 2-4 days.

The female lays a clutch of 3-4 eggs and incubates them for 12-13 days. The altricial hatchlings are blind, naked and helpless. Both parents feverishly feed the chicks regurgitated seeds and insects.

After about a week, the fuzzy nestlings open their eyes. They leave the nest at 9-11 days but follow their parents around for 2 more weeks, begging to be fed while learning to forage.

Cardinals mature by the end of summer and often stay with parents until early winter. Most don‘t breed until their second year. The oldest known cardinal was 15 years old!

Best Areas to See Cardinals in Florida

While cardinals can pop up in small numbers almost anywhere in the state during winter, these are hotspots to spot them year-round:

Northern Florida

Areas along the Georgia border and inland from the coast tend to have higher densities of cardinals and more suitable habitat. Prime areas include:

Suburban parks, yards and golf courses
Woodlands around Jacksonville
Ocala and Osceola National Forests
Banks of the Suwanee River
Ichetucknee Springs State Park

The Panhandle

Pockets of deciduous and pine forests dotted among wetlands hold cardinal populations, especially:

Tallahassee suburbs and St. Mark‘s National Wildlife Refuge
Apalachicola National Forest
Choctawhatchee River and swamps near I-10

Central Florida

Scattered inland wooded areas and river basins attract cardinals, like:

Subdivisions and city parks around Orlando
Ocala National Forest
Lake Apopka region
Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve

Gulf Coast

Sheltered coastal woodlands and inland cypress swamps host wintering migrants. Prime areas:

Tampa suburbs
Myakka River State Park
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Venice Rookery

Atlantic Coast

Some migrants reach protected coastal forests and refuges along the Atlantic like:

Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve near Jacksonville
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

So focus your winter birding efforts on those hotspots if you really hope to catch sight of the stunning red cardinal in Florida!

Attract Cardinals to Your Yard

Want to draw cardinals to visit your own Florida yard? Consider these tips:

Plant dense bushes like yaupon holly along borders to mimic thickets
Add fruiting trees/shrubs like dogwoods, wild grape, honeysuckle and sumac
Include feeders with sunflower seeds, suet cakes, mealworms and fruit
Provide a water source like a birdbath, fountain or small pond
Limit pesticide use so insects are available as food
Include evergreens like red cedar for winter shelter and nesting sites
Allow dead trees and brush piles to create cover
Install nest boxes specifically sized for cardinals

With the right habitat and food sources, you‘ll have a chance of attracting brilliant red cardinals to your yard!

The Cardinal‘s Symbolic Meaning

With its passionate red color, the cardinal has long symbolized energy, vitality, renewal, and optimism.

According to myth, a cardinal sighting signifies good luck, fortune, or spiritual protection. It‘s considered a visitor from loved ones who‘ve passed on.

Many traditions hold that if a cardinal flies into your home or pecks at a window, it heralds a positive change coming your way!

So if a cardinal graces your backyard, appreciate its beauty and see it as heralding hope, joy and new beginnings!

I hope this guide gave you lots of handy facts about cardinals in Florida. Though they are local and rare, a glimpse of this striking bird remains a magical experience for any nature lover. Thanks for reading!