Having been a birder for a while, I have an understanding of which bird species really catch people’s attention. These are the birds that spark emotional reactions and make people want to learn more about not only that bird, but birds in general. Two of these species are the Northern Cardinal and the Blue Jay. Both species are often photographed, completely adored, and extremely popular. But what is it about these two birds that makes them so beloved, and which one is the most liked of the two? Let’s dive into the reasons for the amazing fan support behind the Northern Cardinal and the Blue Jay.
First, the Northern Cardinal. One of the things to initially notice about this species is it’s color. As far as red birds go, few stand out against a winter backdrop more than the Northern Cardinal. Males are bright red with a black mask and varying degrees of darker coloration on the wings, flanks, and tail. Females Are light brown with a much lighter mask and red accents most noticeable on their crest, wings, and tail. Both males and females have thick orange bills. Northern Cardinals live in the most of the united states but don’t typically stray too far west making hem a rare sight in states west of the Rocky Mountains. Most people first encounter this species at their bird feeders where they add a welcome splash of color. They will come and go throughout the day and are typically one of the latest feeders, often showing up as it’s getting dark. Away from bird feeders, Northern Cardinals like to spend time concealed in thickets and tangled branches, but males will sit up in the open and sing.
American culture is loaded with images of cardinals as two professional sports teams and several college sports teams have adopted this bird as their mascot. Additionally, numerous artists have been inspired by their beauty and regalness. It’s also worth noting that the cardinal ended up as the state bird of seven different states.
Northern Cardinals also captivate some people for a more spiritual reason. There is a belief among many that cardinals are representative of a lost loved one and a visit from a cardinal is a blessing and indicative of good luck.
Much like the Northern Cardinal, the Blue jay is an extremely colorful bird. As their name suggests, they have a beautiful blue base color with different shades of blue on their wings and tail along with black and white accents. Their underside is white and gray and they have black on their face, neck and throat. This black color is widely variable in pattern and thickness and differs for each individual blue jay. Blue Jays have a slightly broader range than the Northern Cardinal as they spread farther west in winter, potentially making them viewable to more people in the United States than the cardinal.
Blue Jays are known to visit bird feeders where they will pick up seeds, peanuts and to be honest, just about anything edible. They can also be found away from bird feeders in a variety of habitats and often travel in groups. One of the things that makes Blue Jays such interesting birds is their intelligence. They have intricate social hierarchies and communicate with many different calls. In addition to their normal noises, Blue Jays also have alarm calls and mimic a variety of bird species, especially hawks. The charisma and personality of blue jays combined with their incredible coloration make them a favorite of many birders and feeder watchers. As far as pop culture is concerned, the Blue Jay hasn’t seen quite the same level of fervor as the cardinal but still has one professional sports team named after them as well as a few prominent academic institutions.
Both the Northern Cardinal and the Blue Jay are certainly two of the most popular birds in the United States, but which one is the most popular? That’s for you to decide. Leave a comment below about which of these two birds is your favorite and share the post with someone you think may have a strong opinion. Both of these birds are awesome so theres no wrong answer.
