Cardinal questions (1 Viewer)

I have a pair of cardinals in my yard every summer. What are the chances that they are the same birds every year?

I'd say the chances are fair. Birds have wonderful methods of navigation (http://www.backyardnature.net/birdnavi.htm), and Cardinals don't migrate very far, if at all (compare the BBS (breeding) map to the CBC (wintering) map at http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i5930id.html), thus making it even easier for them to find their way back to your locale, one would think. However, if your yard is prime Cardinal habitat, it's also just as likely that the first pair to show up will simply lay claim. Unless you can pinpoint a unique feature on your bird, it'd be hard to really tell.

Just a follow up. Been reading about the concept of philopatry, or site fidelity (also called site tenacity), which many bird species practice. It's essentially the ability to return to the exact same breeding or nesting spot. I can't find any direct evidence that Cardinals engage in this behavior (conversely, I haven't found anything that refutes it either), but this might be worth a read:

http://www.stanfordalumni.org/birdsite/text/essays/Site_Tenacity.html

If anyone knows if this is a trait of Cardinals, by all means step up to the microphone!

We have just moved into our new house on our 46 acres. I have seen two different male cardinals and one rather large female. The female is very shy and all over the place. One little movment and she is gone. Though, she is getting braver each time she sees me and stays just a bit longer. The one male is very friendly and not shy about showing me his hiding spot at all. He stays in some bushes that I was previously determined to cut down as soon as I had the chance... now I just don't know. He is very easy to identify as he has one white feather growing on his right wing. He has been with us for months now, and hoping that he stays with us over the years. We shall see though!

Rebecca