An Activity Guide About the Songbirds of British Columbia Family CARDINALIDAE: Cardinals, Grosbeaks & Relatives

FIELD MARKS There are five species in this family found in British Columbia. They are often brightly coloured birds, with males being more colourful than females. FOOD Members of this family in British Columbia mainly eat insects and seeds; some also eat berries. They forage hopping from branch to branch or searching along the ground. They are known for their strong, thick bills which are very good for cracking hard seeds. HABITAT These songbirds tend to live in areas with heavy cover such as brushy woodlands. NESTING Nests are shaped like open cups. They are mainly built by the females in dense parts of trees so that they are well hidden. The female usually incubates the eggs but sometimes the male may help. Both parents work together to feed the young. Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)