June 25, 2025
Something that I rarely see. A juvenile Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). Black legs, black beak, and feathers that allow it to blend in with its surroundings.
It looks like an adult Cardinal though the coloring is wrong. Sometime between 2 and 4 weeks of age the juvenile will grow to the size of an adult Cardinal. Its beak stays black until its first molt in the autumn, when the beak becomes lighter and brighter and the feathers will turn red, or pale tannish brown with reddish streaks.
Nature seems to always surprise me with the new or the seldom seen.
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2 responses to “Juvenile Cardinal”
Great picture, Bren! I’ve seen a couple of these as well just recently. One of them even visits the feeder occasionally. Hope you’re doing good. Take care.
Hi Diane! Great to hear from you! I learned about how a juvenile Cardinal looks from my Mom. I learned so many things from her! One of those things is, “Nature is amazing!” I’m doing well, glad that the extreme heat has settled down to just plain “heat” now!
Hoping you too are doing well and enjoying the summer. I can’t believe that it is July already!
So glad that you read my posts!
Bren