Common Nightingale vs Northern Cardinal
Luscinia megarhynchos comparé à Cardinalis cardinalis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Common Nightingale | Northern Cardinal |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Luscinia megarhynchos | Cardinalis cardinalis |
| Ordre | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Famille | Muscicapidae | Cardinalidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | 16,5 cm (6.5 in) | 22,0 cm (8.7 in) |
| Envergure | 25,0 cm (9.8 in) | 30,0 cm (11.8 in) |
| Poids | 21,0 g (0.74 oz) | 44,0 g (1.55 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Insects and larvae, supplemented with berries in autumn. Forages on or near the ground in … | Seeds, grains, fruits, and insects. Especially fond of sunflower seeds at bird feeders. Feeds mainly … |
| Taille de la couvée | 4-5 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Common Nightingale
Dense thickets, scrub, and undergrowth in deciduous woodland. Prefers areas with thick ground cover near water.
Northern Cardinal
Woodland edges, thickets, gardens, and suburban areas. Prefers dense shrubby habitats for nesting.
Song & Call Comparison
Common Nightingale
Considered Europe's finest songster: an extraordinarily rich, loud, flute-like melody of bubbling trills, slow whistles, and a distinctive crescendo 'lu-lu-lu'. Sings day and night.
Northern Cardinal
Loud, clear whistled phrases: 'cheer-cheer-cheer' and 'birdy-birdy-birdy'. Both male and female sing; female song is softer. Alarm is a sharp metallic 'chink'.
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Nightingale
Breeds in Europe and western Asia. Winters in sub-Saharan Africa. A long-distance migrant crossing the Sahara.
Northern Cardinal
Eastern and central North America from southern Canada to Mexico and Guatemala. Expanding range northward.
Statut de conservation
Common Nightingale
Northern Cardinal
How to Tell Them Apart
Common Nightingale
Plain warm brown upperparts with a rufous-chestnut tail. Pale greyish-white underparts. Unremarkable appearance belies its remarkable voice.
Thin, pointed, dark brown bill
Northern Cardinal
Males are brilliant crimson red overall with a black face mask. Females are warm buffy brown with reddish tinges on wings, crest, and tail.
Thick, conical, bright orange-red bill
About These Birds
Common Nightingale
The common nightingale is celebrated as one of the finest songsters in the bird world, inspiring poets from Homer to Keats. Males sing complex phrases of over 250 different types, often at night during breeding season. Despite its famous song, the nightingale is a plain-looking bird that skulks in dense vegetation.
Northern Cardinal
The northern cardinal is the state bird of seven US states, more than any other species. Unlike many songbirds, both males and females sing, often in duets. Cardinals do not migrate and their brilliant red plumage against winter snow makes them a favorite among backyard birdwatchers.