What is a Group of Cardinals Called? (Complete List + Why)

Cardinals belong to the cardinal family, of which there are about 14 genera and 53 species.However, when people think of the Cardinals, they almost always think of cardinal genus, which contains the iconic northern cardinal that lived in much of North and Central America.

Cardinals are conspicuous birds, especially when more than one is together, so what is a group of cardinals called?

Cardinal groups are known by a number of collective terms, but some of the most common are Cardinal Academy, Cardinal Conclave, and Cardinal Deck. Cardinals are named after the cardinals of the Catholic Church, who wear bright red robes and pointy hats, sort of like the badge on a bird’s head.

Cardinals are not particularly sociable, especially in the case of territorial northern cardinals. Even outside of the breeding season, cardinal numbers are relatively small, with numbers of up to 40 to 60 individuals.

Read on to learn more about groups of cardinals and their social behavior!

A pair of northern cardinals feeding on seeds

Other term for a group of cardinals

• Cardinal Academy
• conclave of cardinals
• a deck of cardinals
• Cardinal’s Kremlin
• cardinal ray
• cardinal vatican

There are some fairly unique names here, such as the Cardinal’s Kremlin and the Kremlin’s Vatican. Vatican cardinals of course refer to Catholic cardinals who wear bright red robes, but there is little information about most of the other names. On the other hand, the cardinal of the Kremlin may refer to Red Square, where the Kremlin is located.

In general, though, you’re most likely to hear a group of cardinals referred to as a flock. Flock is the general term for any group of birds.

Cardinals usually only become gregarious outside of the breeding season

Are the Cardinals congregating in droves?

Cardinals are very territorial during the breeding season, but they do relax and let their guard down in the fall and winter.

Like many other birds, cardinals retreat to their mate pairs during the breeding season and isolate themselves in their territories. However, both male and female cardinals are aggressive and display fierce territoriality, making their presence quite conspicuous.

Cardinals become more sociable in fall and winter, when the last chicks become independent. They start out in small flocks, gaining more traction as other birds join them, eventually forming flocks of as many as 60 birds.

Flocks are fluid – some birds seem to be cooperative when foraging, while others mind their own business in the flock. They even become more tolerant of other birds and forage with house sparrows, white-throated sparrows, tufted tits, and American goldfinch, just to name a few.

This is very unusual for a fiery cardinal, but don’t worry, it’s only temporary!

A small flock of cardinals and goldfinches at a feeder

Why do cardinals gather in droves?

In the fall and winter after the breeding season ends, cardinals become more social and gregarious. In addition, hormonal changes may make birds less aggressive because they no longer have to protect their nests and offspring.

Moreover, food becomes scarce in winter and requires collective foraging. In stark contrast to summer, cardinals may even roost en masse in winter!

The study observed major flocks as early as around September, and they lasted until around February or March, when the birds separate to establish territories and build nests.

Northern cardinals usually become friendlier in winter and fall

When do the Cardinals gather in droves?

Cardinals only congregate in the fall and winter. During the breeding season, they are very territorial and do not tolerate the presence of each other or other birds.

When the breeding season is over, cardinals become more social and begin to form flocks with other cardinals and even other birds such as rushes and finches. They form groups during the day and forage together, but also roost together in the same trees and bushes.

It’s worth emphasizing that not all cardinals socialize during the winter. Some pairs remain isolated from the flock, joining them only when the flock passes through their territory.

The flock seems to “roll” from place to place, with birds joining and leaving in a somewhat fluid fashion. Birds may only be joining the flock temporarily. Cardinal colonies gradually disband in early spring, when they part ways with their mates to establish territories.

Closeup of a breeding pair of northern cardinals

How much is a group of cardinals?

Most cardinal flocks are relatively small, consisting of 5 to 60 or so birds.

Flocks join and disband throughout the day, so the size of the flock is variable. Flock size varies by region, with flocks tending to get smaller later in the winter as birds disperse to establish territories.

Is the Cardinal family together?

Pairs of cardinals often form lifelong pairs and stay together for successive breeding seasons.

Young cardinals join the flock in late summer, where they gain independence. They don’t stick together in kin groups.

Close up of a female cardinal perched on a plum tree

Are all the cardinals coming together?

Not all cardinals join the flock in winter. Some remain solitary in pairs and do not join the flock, or only join when the flock happens to pass nearby.

The flock is very mobile and the birds fly around as they please. In early spring, cardinals begin to break away from the flock to establish territories. The default stance of these birds is territorial – they are not the most social birds, even in winter.

Cardinal flocking may simply be an act of convenience rather than desire—food is scarce in winter, so most birds flock to the same food sources.

Male northern cardinal perched on a snow-covered tree in winter

Do cardinals fly in swarms?

Cardinals don’t migrate, but they do disperse from breeding grounds, often in small flocks.

The flock “rolls,” with birds coming and going as the flock moves through the day. Some flocks move 700m to 900m per day.

What does a group of cardinals mean?

Cardinal has strong spiritual connotations, mostly positive. They symbolize strength, courage and curiosity. Flocks of cardinals are a beautiful treat to the bright plumage of the males, which makes the flocks very colorful indeed.