Northern Cardinals — often referred to descriptively as “Red Cardinals” — are a unique species in that both males and females sing. Female cardinals sing while incubating their eggs, often to communicate with their mate and ask him to return to the nest with food. They also participate in back-and-forth singing with their male mates to reinforce bonding during the breeding season. Males sing during most of the year, but take a break from song during the coldest part of winter. Northern Cardinals can sing over 24 distinct songs!