Do Cardinals Mate for Life?

[nelson]

Do Cardinals Mate for Life?

They are often said to form monogamous pairs and even to mate for their entire life. Upon finding a mate, they generally remain in that mate's company through the breeding season, and may also continue bonding over successive seasons. The pairs jointly build nests, raise the young, and defend their territory. This strong pair bonding is one of the characteristic features of the cardinal behavior. Some cardinal birds are known to mate for life, while others may not. According to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, around 20% of cardinal pairs separate by the next breeding season.

There are a few reasons why some cardinal birds will mate for life and others will not. Some of these reasons are known, while others remain unknown. For instance, in cases where nesting was unsuccessful for one reason or another, cardinal pairs may separate and look for other mates. Cardinals, aside from this, will also find new mates in case one of them dies and does not waste any more time immediately with another mate.

Most cardinals are described to develop strong, monogamous pair bonds, but extra-pair copulations-a term for "cheating"-have been recorded in some species of birds including cardinals. What this means is that while a mated pair will generally remain together, there are instances when one member, male or female, will mate with another bird outside of his or her pair bond. These behaviors are rather uncommon and generally do not disrupt the principal relationship between the bonded pair since they still will raise their offspring together.

Generally speaking, though, cardinals are considered very attentive parents, both the male and female playing active parents in raising their brood. Red cardinals are sensitive and caring with each other. They look after each other and share parenting duties. Thus, the cardinal can be a great role model in partnership-apart from the EPCs, of course, but who among us does not face relationship challenges every now and then?.

Edited October 2 by nelson