skip to main content

Cardinals with dark coats

7 years ago

I've been noticing that cardinals (male and female) this summer seem to have very dark coats this winter. Is it because of the severe cold?

Featured Answer

ZachS. z5 Platteville, Colorado

7 years ago

Silly? Not in the least! Observations and questions just like this one form the foundation of scientific discovery! If we didn't have people just like you looking at the world around us and asking "I wonder if..." or "I wonder why..." imagine how far we WOULDN'T be!

Your idea does make plenty of sense. Many species of butterfly that live in the far north have dark bodies and the area around the base of their wings is also typically black in order to maximize heat absorption, precisely like you hypothesized about the darker colored birds!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

PKponder TX Z7B
7 years ago
My cardinals are mia so I can't compare what I see down here.
ZachS. z5 Platteville, Colorado
7 years ago
I don't think that birds feather color would change as a result of temperature. However, red pigment in male house finches can vary from yellow to deep crimson depending on the food they eat, particularly around the time that they are molting. It would be interesting to find out if the same is true of other red-colored birds such as cardinals.
Related Discussions
shower guard or cardinal 10 coating for shower door?
Q
Comments (4)
Showerguard is a product made by Guardian that is actually in the glass as the glass is manufactured and carries a lifetime warranty. Cardinal 10 is an aftermarket product that is applied at the shower manufacturers facility and carries a 10 year warranty. The price difference is generally about 50% more for the showerguard and while it is universally known as a better product the decision is your as to wether or not you spend the extra money. A coating is in my opinion is definitely a good choice just up to you which to go with. I happen to work for a architectural glass and aluminum company and sell both as well as Diamon Fusion just so everyone knows my angle and am not spam!
...See More
Need a good trim paint (like Cab Coat) for dark colors
Q
Comments (1)
Part of the "trick" with ANY daaarrrrkk "Cabinet-type" paints (as I mentioned on the other thread...), is the colorant load. Lots of colorant cures-out slooowwwly. Only a few paints are "somewhat" immune to this, the first being FPE's ECO. (NOTE: I'm in ND and had a Euro-Qt. of FPE sent here! FPE's headquarters is Woodstock Vermont. You're pretty close!) Remedy for dark colors for shelving, etc.... >>> Use thinner coats a day apart. The cure-out time does lessen moderately then. Faron
...See More
What type of Cardinal glass to get for my new house
Q
Comments (7)
Swampwiz, For simplicity I would consider 366 for every window in your home except for the window where you want to protect your grand piano. For that window I would agree with 240. In addition to the 240, I would consider using laminated glass. The combination of 240 and laminated glass will result in blocking 99.9% of damaging UV rays as well as blocking a percentage of visible light which also contributes to fading and "light" damage. There would be a cost upgrade for including a laminated lite in your glass package, but in your situation I would consider it well worth the additional investment. 240 is a "tinted" coating, but if you want it even darker you can get a tinted laminate - either glass or interlayer as part of the IG including the 240 coated lite. So far as cost difference for different coatings, you may find that it is ultimately more expensive to mix and match coatigs than to go with a single coating for all of your windows. Some window companies are already using 366 as their "standard" coating and while I don't know specifically what either Kolbe or Monarch may charge for a 366 upgrade (if anything) - your best bet is to simply ask them what they charge for upgrading to the 366 coating. Negotiate - see what they will do for you.
...See More
Milgard SunCoatMax (tint?) too dark? VLT? Triple glaze?
Q
Comments (3)
Compare the VT ratings on the two glass pack options and that will tell you which unit provides more natural light. In this case the SunCoat Max (Low-e 366) will give you more light as compared to triple pane. It will not be as thermally efficient but if light is your concern, the SunCoat Max option is the better of the two. Triple glazed does mean triple pane.
...See More
catherinet
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Sorry, PK!

Thanks Zach.......yeah, I guess it would be hard to change feather colors very quickly, except if they ate certain things when forming the feathers. Silly me, I was thinking maybe if it was colder than usual for several weeks/month (minus temps and single digits), maybe their coats darkened to absorb more of the sun's heat. But in retrospect, that was sort of silly thinking. It's not like a tree frog, chameleon, etc.
catherinet
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks Zach! That's kind of you.
Pat Z5or6 SEMich
7 years ago
Thank God for my Cardinals. Maybe they seem redder because it's been so very cold and dreary this year so far. I have many birds MIA this winter also, but the Cardinals keep coming and I am so grateful.
Blue Onblue
7 years ago
I have noticed them too in Ohio. We have some very vibrant red Cardinals and some that are very dark. A mix of burgundy and brown to my eyes.
ellaboobella
7 years ago
Cardinals feather color is in direct relation to their diet. Male cardinals, for example, are deeper and more vibrant red when their diets are good. This is one way they attract a female, because his bright red feathers lets her know he has a great territory.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: A Dark Kitchen Brightens Up

By Mary Jo Bowling

A cooking space honors the past while embracing the present

DECORATING GUIDES What Goes With Dark Walls?

By Laura Gaskill

Bring out the beauty of dark blue, charcoal and black walls with these decorative matchups

COLOR 9 Dark Wall Colors to Suit Your Mood

By Becky Harris

Tired of light and airy? Try dark and moody for a change; you may be surprised by the moods these colors inspire

KITCHEN DESIGN 3 Dark Kitchens, 6 Affordable Updates

By Jennifer Ott Design

Color advice: Three Houzzers get budget-friendly ideas to spruce up their kitchens with new paint, backsplashes and countertops

FUN HOUZZ The Case for a Glow-in-the-Dark Home

By Joanna Tovia

These fanciful, fun and functional ideas will have you lighting up your home in new and unexpected ways ... and not just at Christmastime

KITCHEN DESIGN Are You Ready for a Dark and Sophisticated Kitchen?

By Scheer & Co. Interior Design

Black kitchen cabinets have a rich, timeless look. Get ideas for your next cabs — and how to paint the ones you have

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Northern Cardinals in the Snow, and Other Red Birds

By Habitat Network

Brilliant crimson feathers make these friends stand out in a crowd

DECORATING GUIDES What Goes With Dark Wood Floors?

By Laura Gaskill

Avoid a too-heavy look or losing your furniture in a sea of darkness with these ideas for decor pairings

ARCHITECTURE Dark Exterior, Light Interior: 6 Homes That Celebrate Contrast

They claim the best of both worlds and have a distinct wow factor. See if any of these high-contrast homes light a spark of curiosity

CURB APPEAL When to Give Your Home a Coat of Many Colors

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Drape your house in a dazzling array of hues to bring architectural details to life and draw admiration from the street

Sponsored

Dream Outdoor Solutions

10 Reviews

Providing Quality Home Improvements in South Riding for Over 30 Years