It’s been about six weeks since Momma and Poppa cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) started bringing their latest batch of fledglings around to the feeding station. At first, all of them (four total) looked alike, were tiny, and barely even had functional wings. They stayed almost exclusively in the underbrush while their parents shuffled back and forth feeding them. As they grew and their first feathers came in they became more adventurous. They started coming out of the brush with their parents, but still begged to be fed. Over the past couple of weeks they have really gotten the hang of feeding themselves, but still usually show up as a group. Often they are with Momma or Poppa, but not always. Their black, fledgling beaks have also turned from black to the adult orangish red, and they are starting to get their adult plumage. This one here is probably the oldest since he seems to be a few days ahead of the others (his beak is full orange now, the others are still in the process of changing), and it is now very clear that he is a male. Not all his mature red feathers are in yet, but he’s well on his way. The other three are probably all going to be females, but it’s a little early to say absolutely for certain. This little guy is also the bravest and most adventurous, so he’s always the most interesting to watch.