The young northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) are all working at developing their survival techniques. In addition to learning to avoid predators, they are also trying to determine their places in the pecking order. Right now it’s not uncommon to see cardinals chasing each other through the woods. Some of it is in playfulness. Some is also part of establishing dominance among the group. Finally, the dominant adult male is also in the process of driving his male offspring off to find their own territories. Most of the chasing and shenanigans is among the males, but sometimes the females are involved as well. This young female had just been chased away from the feeding station by one of her brothers, and was waiting, on high alert, for her turn to eat. The boys were being particularly rowdy, so I think that is why she was being so cautious.