I was watching a male Cardinal last night. There were two females on the ground next to him. He gave some food to one. He then went to give some food to the other. She seemed to get very indignant and flew away. He sat there looking confused like, "what'd I do?" I actually think Cardinals are mongamous, though, aren't they? Not sure what that was about. Perhaps one of them was one of the juveniles. It was getting dark, so I couldn't see them real clearly.
Some birds are only "seasonally" monogamous, or are monogamous for as long as the breeding season lasts. At the next breeding season, they usually find a different mate.
Perhaps one of them was one of the juveniles.
ROFL! Juvenile Cardinals have more than their share of 'tude. We had one female last year that had 3 juveniles to feed...2 males and a female. They spent a LOT of time during the day screaming at her from the fence, the trees, or any other place they thought they could be heard- "Feed ME!" "Feed ME!".
Poor thing was worn to a frazzle by the time they were old enough to find their own food!
:)
Have you noticed that Cardinals are always the last birds at the feeders after sunset? I can go all day without seeing them, and just after sunset they arrive with their entire family to feed. Like clockwork. I've seen them out there when it was almost completely dark, taking advantage of the solar light feeder.