Northern Cardinal vs Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Cardinalis cardinalis comparé à Archilochus colubris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Northern Cardinal | Ruby-throated Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Cardinalis cardinalis | Archilochus colubris |
| Ordre | Passeriformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Famille | Cardinalidae | Trochilidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | 22,0 cm (8.7 in) | 8,5 cm (3.3 in) |
| Envergure | 30,0 cm (11.8 in) | 11,0 cm (4.3 in) |
| Poids | 44,0 g (1.55 oz) | 3,1 g (0.11 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Seeds, grains, fruits, and insects. Especially fond of sunflower seeds at bird feeders. Feeds mainly … | Nectar from tubular flowers, supplemented with small insects and spiders for protein. Feeds at over … |
| Taille de la couvée | 1-5 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Northern Cardinal
Woodland edges, thickets, gardens, and suburban areas. Prefers dense shrubby habitats for nesting.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Deciduous and mixed forests, woodland edges, gardens, and parks with flowering plants. Migrates across the Gulf of Mexico.
Song & Call Comparison
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'.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Soft, high-pitched chattering and twittering 'chee-dit'. Also produces a thin 'tik' call in flight. Wing beats create an audible high-pitched humming buzz during hovering.
Geographic Range & Migration
Northern Cardinal
Eastern and central North America from southern Canada to Mexico and Guatemala. Expanding range northward.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Eastern North America from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast. Winters in Central America and southern Mexico.
Statut de conservation
Northern Cardinal
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
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
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Metallic green upperparts and greyish-white underparts. Males have a brilliant iridescent ruby-red gorget that appears black in poor light. Females lack the gorget.
Long, straight, thin black bill adapted for probing flowers
About These Birds
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.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only breeding hummingbird in eastern North America. These tiny birds beat their wings about 53 times per second and can fly backwards, sideways, and even briefly upside down. They make an extraordinary non-stop 800 km crossing of the Gulf of Mexico during migration.