Birders and non-birders alike love the Northern Cardinal. The singing of the male cardinal is a sure harbinger of early spring. To many birders, the cardinal has taken the mantle of announcing spring ...

n a recent snow-covered afternoon as I headed outdoors to fill the feeders, I heard a cardinal singing — yes, really singing his “cheer cheer” beautiful bubbling song — in the treetops over my head.

It’s relentless. Spring might unfold in fits and starts, but once you start feeling that first bit of warmth in the sunshine, it’s gonna happen. Birds feel it too. I heard my first northern cardinal ...