Are Cardinals Endangered?
Gone are those days when you could spot cardinals by visiting their habitats. Now, you need to put a little effort into finding these bird species. So, does it mean their population is decreasing? Are cardinals endangered?
No, they aren’t. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the northern cardinals as species of least concern. That means the species is not currently endangered or vulnerable but could become so in the future.
That said, do you know whether these birds are protected or not? Or what can cause the cardinals to go extinct? We will find answers to these questions through this content. Let’s begin.
Read more about habitat of cardinals:
Are Cardinals Protected Birds?
Although cardinals aren’t endangered or threatened species, they are still protected under the migratory bird treaty act of 1918. This law bans caging this bird for trading and petting purposes.
If any citizens get caught possessing this stunning bird, they can be sent to prison and may need to pay a fine of around $15000. However, the authority offers a special license to birders who want to keep cardinals as aviary birds.
In short, cardinals are protected under the law of the U.S.A and Canada, so it’s evident that they are guarded and aren’t endangered.
What Are The Main Threats To Cardinals?
The northern cardinals’ primary threats remain some predators, including domestic cats, hawks, squirrels, snakes, northern shrikes, owls, eastern chipmunks, blue jays, and more.
Some mammals and birds, such as brown-headed cowbirds, destroy their eggs and refrain the northern cardinals from thriving in the wild. These creatures have always been significant menaces for medium-sized songbirds.
What Is The Population Of Cardinals In The Wild?
IUCN listed the northern cardinals as the least concerned species and declared their estimated global range and population of about 100 million. These birds are enormous in number and are far away from extinction.
But the yellow cardinal, scientifically named gubernatrix cristata, is an endangered species. Its population ranges from 1000 to 2000, clearly showing that this bird is on the edge of disappearance.
How Will The Ecosystem Be Affected If Cardinals Go Extinct?
The northern cardinals play a significant role in balancing the ecosystem. Cardinals help plants with composition by scattering various seeds across the yards while consuming seeds and fruits.
Apart from that, the northern cardinals provide predators with food. They help the brown-headed cowbirds that parasitized cardinals’ nests raise their chicks.
The stunning cardinals also host several kinds of internal and external parasites. Last but not least, these birds play a significant role in controlling the pest population.
As you know, cardinals eat a wide variety of food, and insects are one of them, so by consuming small insects, these birds prevent the bugs from becoming prevalent across the states.
What Can You Do To Protect Cardinals From Going Extinct?
Although cardinals aren’t a threatened species, still, as a bird watcher, you have some duties to fulfill to prevent cardinals from going extinct. Let’s read what steps you can take to help these birdies thrive.
01. Protect Cardinals From Predators:
As you know, cardinals’ primary threats are domestic pets, including dogs and cats. So, if you pet such animals, you should keep them leashed, especially if you have cardinals in your yards.
Otherwise, there is a high chance that these pets can chase and even kill your backyard visitors.
02. Avoid Visiting Cardinal Areas In Breeding Time:
Some people enter the cardinals’ territory during the breeding season. As a result, these birds get disturbed, threatened, and compelled to leave their territories.
In most cases, cardinals face challenges finding new areas; some even die from predators while searching for new places. Besides, these majestic birds don’t get enough natural resources to live in new homes.
Hence, you should avoid visiting their areas during the breeding season to eradicate the problems these birds face because of invaders.
03. Stop Cutting Down Trees:
Trees are essential for birds and us to live, but some people cut them down for myriad purposes. FYI, cardinals and other birds live in nests they build on tree branches, and if we cut those trees down, these birds will suffer from habitat problems.
That’s why we should stop performing this merciless chore. Instead, we can plant trees that cardinals prefer for nesting.
04. Limit The Use Of Lawn Chemicals:
We use different chemicals and pesticides to keep our gardens in top-notch condition, and these gardening items are harmful to birds and other wildlife.
Hence, we shouldn’t utilize such harmful chemicals near cardinals or other birds’ habitats. If possible, we should find alternatives or environment-friendly products to complete our gardening jobs without harming any being.
So, these are some crucial steps you can follow to help cardinals or other birds from going extinct.
Wrapping Up:
Cardinals are adorable bird species, and luckily they aren’t endangered. But they can be listed as threatened species in the coming days if we keep completing tasks that can hamper these birds’ lives.
So, we should stop harming wildlife and start helping them thrive in the wild. That’s all for this content; we hope you enjoyed reading it and found it informative. We will catch you with the next one; until then, stay connected with us on Twitter & Pinterest.
Article Reference:
- Chesapeakebay.net/discover/field-guide/entry/northern_cardinal
- Animaldiversity.org/accounts/cardinalis_cardinalis/
- Biokids.umich.edu/critters/cardinalis_cardinalis/
Image Source: Canva.com /photos
