I think cardinals are much more beautiful than the redwings, but we don’t have as many here. In the spring, the redwings sing that little trilly song and it is SOOOO beautiful! I love the cardinals dripping water song, but we just don’t see more than a few a year (altho I hear more are starting to nest down here rather than go north—just like New Yorkers!)
I get a lot of them at my feeders in the mornings and evenings. The only problem they have is shyness. I get some jays also and while I love their showy colors and jaunty crest, they sure are bullies. The other birds know who's boss when the blue jays come around. The cardinals tend to beat a hasty retreat.
I've seen some of the male cardinals feeding their mates. Must be getting close to breeding season...