People walking in the snow Give the gift of membership.
People walking in the snow Give the gift of membership.

Mass Audubon State of the Birds

Find a Bird

Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis

The nearly ubiqiutous Northern Cardinal colonized Massachusetts from the south several decades ago, and has since established itself as a thriving permanent resident in urban and suburban areas throughout the state.
Conservation Status
No Action: Likely Increase

Tracking This Bird In Massachusetts

Climate Vulnerability Score

Least Vulnerable
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (current)
0.51
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (2050)
0.51
Mass Audubon Absolute change in likelihood of occurrence
0.00
U.S. Forest Service Climate Change Bird Atlas (Hadly Hi emissions scenario)a
3.10
National Audubon Societyb
n/a
a USFS model data for Massachusetts by 2100
b National Audubon Society's Climate Change Atlas was completed on a continental scale.

Breeding Bird Atlas

Atlas I Blocks
704
Atlas II Blocks
976
Percent of state occupied - Atlas I
72
Percent of state occupied - Atlas II
94
Percent change
122

Breeding Bird Survey

Annual trend 1966-2010
7.5%
P-value
significant, increasing
Number of routes
27
Recent trend 2000-2010
2.2%

Christmas Bird Count

Trend (1963-2008)
4
Significantly different than zero
yes
Trend (1963-1979)
12
Significantly different than zero
yes
Trend (1979-2008)
3
Significantly different than zero
yes
Christmas Bird Count Sightings By Year
Data reflects sightings per person per hour in order to account for varying numbers of yearly volunteers.

Habitat Usage

Breeding

Shrubland, Urban and Suburban

Wintering

Urban and Suburban

Climate Suitability Current and 2050