Robert Zimmer column: Cardinals announce spring with February song

Over the past few weeks, the piercing siren song of the Northern Cardinal has begun to ring out across woodlands, parks and neighborhoods all around the Fox Cities.

The loud, whistling song of the cardinal is a harbinger of spring, usually arriving first in mid-February as the birds begin to call out for mates. Unlike many songbirds, both sexes sing a similar song, with mated pairs often dueting back and forth.

To hear the sweet song of the cardinal when winter seems to be at its peak is a beautiful reminder that spring is right around the corner. Studies have shown that during peak season, a male ...