As most of you know, I developed a relationship of sorts with birds after the death of my mother a couple of years ago. It’s a fine line to walk when you’re writing about birds you feel are visiting you from “up there”, but when it’s happening to you there is no denying the possibility.
As the holidays approach, the cardinals are popping even more now against grey skies and barren trees. The luscious, bright, bold red color is just heavenly. Heavenly… can we talk about this for a minute?
Many have contacted me regarding their own experiences with cardinals after losing a family member. They speak of times when in need of advice, or feeling down, a cardinal will appear out of nowhere. If you google “cardinal symbolism” this quote shows up frequently in the results:
“A cardinal is a representative of a loved one who has passed. When you see one, it means they are visiting you. They usually show up when you most need them or miss them. They also make an appearance during times of celebration as well as despair to let you know they will always be with you. Look for them, they’ll appear.” – author unknown
Don’t believe? Keep reading…
A few days ago, I came across this photo in a photography group I belong to on Facebook. I thought it was another cleverly photoshopped image… until I read the actual post.
“Not really an artistic shot but a personal favorite. This was shot a few days after my mother’s death after a late winter storm. She would have loved to see this! I inherited my love of birds from her. There were more than 80 cardinals that morning , I only managed to get 50+ in the picture. And no, this is not photoshopped! I’ve never seen anything like this since that day.” – Jean Kuns
This photo already had 422 likes, 28 shares, and 67 empathetic comments from believers and other members who were equally amazed. I contacted Jean Kuns immediately feeling elated that I had found another “human” who has experienced and documented such an experience. This was, after all, an incredible justification of my own experiences.
I asked Jean’s permission to share the photo, and kindly she sent it along with a few others from that day. The following image of hers took my breath away. Never have I seen so many male cardinals huddled so closely together in one spot. They are incredibly territorial, so this is an unusually rare sight.
- The male cardinal fiercely defends its breeding territory from other males. When a male sees its reflection in glass surfaces, it frequently will spend hours fighting the imaginary intruder. – The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
I’m still stunned by the number of cardinals in these images, and since first laying eyes on them these photos have not left my mind. Yesterday, I looked out of our kitchen window and saw two males perched up high in our tree.
An unusual sight and sign for me to get writing and tell the story. Would love to hear yours if you’d like to share, and if you want to dive deeper check out the following links dedicated to cardinal symbolism with similar stories:
Cardinals Appear When Angels Are Near
Signs from Spirit! Does my father Visit me as a Cardinal?
Cardinal Signs & Symbols – Thecardinalexperience.com
Pinterest – remember this photo that circulated all social media sites? 
The Power of The Red Bird – a blog post by Michele Cozzens.
So, keep those eyes open for a little red visitor. You could be driving down a road and see a flash of red fly in front, or over, you. Out for a walk you may hear one, or see one perched in a tree you’re walking by. That sight just might give you the pick-me-up you need if you’re missing someone over the holidays, or any time of year.
Thank you, Jean Kuns, for your beautiful images above and for letting me share your wonderful photographs.
Cheers, and wishing you all the best for the holidays!
Heidi
P.S. Just went onto Instagram and look what was posted by the Audubon Society just minutes after I published this blog post. 🙂
Wild For Birds 
Heidi, this took my breath away. Just simply amazing.
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Thank you, Hope. xo
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My husband passed away on a Saturday morning and the next week on Saturday I was iny back yard and I saw a cardinal in a tree and he stayed there for a few minutes and I know it was Warren watching over me and I believe that withy whole heart.
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What does it mean when a red bird won’t stop flying into your bedroom window?
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Could mean many things, Tammy. Sometimes they do that if they are feeling territorial and they can see its reflection. Of course we would love to think it is simply trying to get in to be with you! 🙂
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I have the same experience in my yard during the winter flocks of cardinals. Especially when it snows! The apple tree is lite up with cardinals. I have one cardinal that visits me several times a day. He chips loudly at me whenever i leave my house or out in my deck. I chip back like we are having a conversation. I call him sebastian. I feel blessed to have him here.
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Amazing “group shots”!! Thanks, and Happy Holidays, full of creatures great and small.
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Back at you, Pat!
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I believe there’s “something” but I’m always more than a little skeptical about these stories.
well anyway, my Mom had 2 brothers and a sister. after her brother Stosh died this week it left her the last sibling.
when we were leaving the luncheon after his funeral to go back to her house, there was a Male cardinal sitting near my car. made me smile a little, thinking about the cardinal story.
but here’s the freaky part.
this morning when I got up, I looked out on her deck, and there were three cardinals, 2 male, and a female sitting on the deck railing looking at the house.
they flew to the feeder then took off when they saw me.
how’s that for a story?
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I LOVE that story – especially coming from someone who is a skeptic! Thank you for sharing this, Bill.
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Really spectacular story Heidi, what an incredible scene to witness!
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Thanks, Brian. Jean’s picture is indeed truly incredible!
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Whenever I hear the sound of a cardinal, I have to find its whereabouts, it’s like this urgent need. When I find him, I can then continue with my day. This morning as I sit quietly in my living room reading my book, I hear a cardinal singing and so I look out the glass door to see it sitting on a bush 200 feet away in my neighbors yard. I then quietly say in the comfort of my living room, “Why, hello Mr. cardinal.”
Almost immediately as if he heard my words he flew towards my house and into my backyard. I open the back door gingerly so as not to disturb him if he was out in the back bushes, and to my surprise he was sitting there with another male cardinal friend. Just 5 feet from my back door! They danced around on the branch together while I watched and not bothered by my presence. Now, 20 minutes later I go back to check, and they’re both still there together, not leaving each other’s side.
I am a very spiritual person who believes in signs from above and I’m wondering what the sign was this morning and keep returning to the fact that it’s peace and renewal which is where I find myself in my life right now.
Thank you for your informational and inspirational post!
Best,
Jillian
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My wife Grace passed on 4/19/20
Ive seen several Cardinals flitting
about. This morning there was a
female cardinal perched on the
back of a patio chair not 5 feet
from my back door. A male arrived
and they put on a happy display
flitting around my yard. It was
a consoling experience. I am sure
she was greeting me and that she
Is just fine. Love you sweetheart.💔
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Al, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope they continue the dance and keep that wonderful memory of Grace alive! Thank you for sharing.
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Hi Jillian,
Peace and renewal are two perfect words to describe your experience, hopes and feelings. Thank you for this!
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Jillian, what a beautiful experience! I think your assessment of “peace and renewal” is just perfect. Incredible (and unusual) that two males were so content by each other’s side. Your wonderful description allowed me to feel as if I had just experienced it myself Thank you for that. 🙂
Heidi
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I had no idea about the symbolism of the cardinal when I bought a pair of flannel pajamas with little cardinals on them for my 85-year-old mother in 2012, which delighted her. I gave them to her on Christmas Eve and she was still wearing them when we took her to the hospital where she passed away two days after Christmas. She loved all birds, but especially cardinals because they were her high-school mascot and she also loved hamburgers from the Cardinal, a neighborhood bar and burger joint not far from my house. The day she died, I called my sister in Maine to give her the news, and while we were talking, she looked out her back window, and there were a male and female cardinal–very unusual to see them there. I was sure then as now they the spirits of my parents. I later learned that my father, who had passed twenty-five years earlier, waited for my mother so their souls could cross over together.
Last week my 21-year-old nephew died in a terrible car accident, and I called my sister to offer condolences and again, while we were on the phone, a cardinal appeared outside her window–this time an immature male or perhaps a female; she wasn’t sure. She thought it was an odd coincidence but I’m quite sure it was my nephew, letting her know he was all right and his spirit was on its way.
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Thank you for sharing your story, Kim. I am so sorry to hear of such a tragic loss… As difficult coping with something like this is, how wonderful for both of you to be able to find a little bit of solace (with the loss of your mother as well) in seeing these birds. They certainly can provide us with a lot of comfort when, and if, we are open to the idea. Baby steps. 🙂 Maybe that Cardinal will stick around for the Holidays… Thanks again for writing.
Best,
Heidi
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I lost a very near and dear friend earlier this year. It has been devastating. Several unexplainably bizarre coincidences have occurred since then. I see Cardinals almost every single place I go. I see them almost every day, oftentimes multiple times per day. They fly in front of me when I’m out for my walks, and in front of my car when I’m out for a drive. They perch up in trees near my car when I’m parked and chirp until I they get my attention. There is no doubt whatsoever that there is some sort of spiritual connection between this bizarre activity and the loss of my partner. To see it is to no doubt believe it.
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Chris, I am so sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing your story. Losses are so difficult to process and I am happy for you that seeing these Cardinals has brought you peace. Since posting this I have learned so much from various spiritual mediums and people dealing with losses of their own who have also witnessed this beautiful “thing” that happens which we can’t quite identify scientifically. Each time someone leaves a response here it makes my heart grow. I can’t thank you enough. You are right… “to see it is to no doubt believe it.” Bless you, and keep those eyes of your open. Heidi
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I came across this looking for some information and picked your sight. I lost my mom 22 years ago and my sister 20 years ago. Everytime we were at the cemetery, or seemed to be having a bad day, a cardinal would appear. It was then we associated the Cardinal with our loved ones who had passed. I was only 26 at the time and had never heard of that before so at the time I thought it was just our thing. Since then I have collected many cardinal items that I display in my home. It’s always a welcoming sight and peaceful feeling when one comes along your path. This brings me to my most recent story. Like everyone else, my life has been one trial after another and I’ve recently felt the weight of all of it had become too heavy to bare. I have recently been praying daily for some kind of guidance, something, anything. On this past Christmas Eve Day, it was snowing and beautiful outside. I had all of my family coming over for the holiday and the holidays have been tough for all of us for many years. While preparing for everyone to arrive, I looked outside at the beautiful view and there sat the most gorgeous red cardinal bird I had ever seen. I was so overwhelmed it brought me to my knees. It was something that would if brought me great joy and comfort before, but at a time I was struggling and praying more than ever, it was more than special. I took a picture and sent to family along with posting on Facebook. I wasn’t the only one who thought it was the most amazing thing ever! It is now, 1/11 and that beautiful Cardinal has visited every single day. Not in just my tree, but at my back door, sitting on my deck, in a chair on the deck, and on the fence behind my house. He pecks at the door, cocks his head sideways as if he is saying hello. In awe is putting it mild. After about four days I put out a feeder just in case he was looking for food. He was pretty chubby, but I wasn’t taking any chances. I thought I also had seen a female cardinal, and today it was confirmed. I was also able to capture a picture of her eating some seeds out of the feeder on my deck right after he was at my door. And I don’t want to forget to mention that he put on quite a show today before she showed up. He was at my door looking in and cocking his head, went down to the other end of the door and jumped onto the screen looking in, sitting on the table on the deck, and then to the feeder. As I sat there with tears pouring down my face, my heart was at peace. I will most definitely be reading anything and everything I can get my hands on about our very loved Cardinal Birds. Thank you for your information and for letting me share my story.
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Lana, this is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your story. It is a powerful, yet subtile (although your cardinal seems to be quite eager to show his presence!), sign that your family can now enjoy for a lifetime. It does bring so much peace and I am so happy for you that you have found that. Truly special. Once this door is open for exploration your world will start to change in ways you may not ever have imagined. Keeping your eyes and heart open allows for it all to come pouring through. Peace and many blessings to you and your family!
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Lana, your story is so beautiful! The Cardinal has a message for you and he wants you to know he is there and you need to pay attention and be at peace! You have such a wonderful opportunity that so many people never sit up and take notice of; they never look up from their tv, their iPad, iPhone, book, newspaper, computer, video game or whatever it is that is distracting them from noticing what is going on right outside their window. It is amazing to me how many people miss out on the peace and tranquility they could have if only they would watch and listen to the messages that may be being sent to them by their loved ones. If only they would look up!! Now, you’re looking up and you’ve got the most fantastic messenger to hear from!! Enjoy! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading of your encounter and the red birds determination in getting your attention.
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My daughter saw a lot of red birds in the trees and yard about 3:30 this afternoon. What does it mean?
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Hi Brenda, I’m sorry to just be seeing this. If they were cardinals I would say she must be very loved! ❤
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What does it mean if you find a dead cardinal on your patio?
I am very concerned by this? I knew cardinals were visitors if our loved ones from Heaven, so now I am worried that I have done something wrong and it is a warning?
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Oh Sandy, I am sorry you found this post by way of a deceased cardinal! That would make me incredibly sad as well. I am not an expert on the symbolic nature of this so would be unable to answer that question, but my gut would say to not take it as a warning, or that you did anything wrong. It may have flown into a window or fell prey to a predator. If I were to take a guess on a symbolic level I would think it might be a sign to simply keep your eyes open, or that there is something in your life that needs to be put to rest (relationship, job, habit, etc…) for your highest and best well being. If that is the case, someone certainly is going to an extreme to tell you so!
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Thank you for this beautiful and comforting post. I lost my dad a few days ago; I adored my father and the grief Is almost unbearable at times. I’m still visiting with Mommy, and yesterday decided to open the back door for some fresh air. A beautiful fellow suddenly appeared on the back fence. He was the most brilliant shade of vermillion I’d ever seen!! He flew off, then returned-and kept doing this until I had to take my son to the airport. I’d been asking Daddy for a sign he was still with me (and to please make it obvious because I sometimes miss things). This colorful fellow so intrigued me-landing and looking at me-that I mentioned it to Mommy. She said, “They say it’s a visitor from heaven, honey.” I googled and found your article. What a wonderful sense of peace it has given me. Thank you so very much.
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Liz, I am very sorry to hear about your father. The fact that you landed here in search of this meaning means that you are open to these possibilities, so welcome through the door. I think you will find that once you are open and aware, you will see and experience many incredible things which will bring a level of peace and comfort that you ever imagined possible. Sometimes you do have to ask to make it obvious, and I’m happy for you that you did! Thank you for sharing your story.
Heidi
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I have been visited by a male cardinal every day sometimes three or four times a day for going on three weeks now within two foot from me at my window, sometimes from other windows. It appears to say hi in its own way. i was very close to my father who passed 2 year and 3 months ago. I feel ther is a meaning here.
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Hi Don, Hold those moments close to you. Sometimes I wish they could actually talk, but perhaps the mere thought of this possibility existing is what ultimately keeps that connection going. I hope your Cardinal is still visiting!
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Hi, I live in Forest Hill Louisiana and since the passing of my other then my grandfather there is one red bird that constantly is between my house and my mins next door. After months of noticing the red bird everyday I told my family something is up for this one single red burd to stay right here between the two houses and I found this picture, and I don’t believe it could be anything else but our loved ones.
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Hi Karen, It is so nice that you noticed and felt that it could be possible! Keep your eyes open and enjoy those sightings.
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Thank everyone for the stories!!!
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Beautiful photos – we have quite a few cardinals and other colorful birds that hang around our woods, pond, and chicken and duck areas looking for spilled food. Although Cardinals are fiercely territorial during the breeding season of May through August, during the winter months when food is scarce they actually may flock together around a food source. But I did have one odd experience with cardinals recently which led me to search and find your page. After a heavy rain and with it being overcast and at dusk so quite dark out, I was in my back yard cleaning things up. I normally am the type of person who almost never gets upset. I’m a very positive, happy, nature-loving person, but I was very worried and praying and trying not to cry about my daughter who was out of town and missing. No one had been able to reach her and she was supposed to call. It was not her typical behavior. It turns out she had lost her phone and couldn’t call. But at that point where I was so upset I thought I was going to be sick a female cardinal landed on the fence next to me. It was very strange because they rarely come down that low, especially not when its almost dark, and it just sat there looking at me perfectly still making no noise. I didn’t think much of it at first and said out loud “pretty bird.” Then a couple seconds later a male cardinal landed about 3 feet away from the female on the fence in the exact same position, facing me, not moving or making noise, just sitting there looking at me. Then it hit me that it felt like they were trying to tell me something. I wasn’t sure if I should be relieved or even more scared, but it felt extraordinary. Then they both flew away at the same time.But I’ve never experienced cardinals behaving like that before.
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It’s wonderful how an encounter like that can open up ones mind and be lead to a page like this only to find that you are not alone in your curiosity! I’m certain it must have been an incredible relief to find it was merely a lost phone, but doesn’t change the experience of having to be in that place of worry and anxiety. I also love thinking they were there to calm you in some way, or tell you something.
Thank you for sharing your story.
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Hello,
After reading this I wanted to share that my son died 2 years ago. He was 24 years old. He died at home and his sister and I found him.
Last Christmas I was so overcome with dispair I just didn’t think I was going to make it. That’s when a cardinal started tapping on my kitchen window.
On Christmas morning a cardinal started tapping on the kitchen window. He has tapped on the window every day for 9 months. He follows me around the house and taps on various windows in rooms Im walking through.
It’s gone on so long that I do think now it has something to do with Burke. It’s like a reminder from heaven everyday that Burke is still thinking of us and helping us survive the sorrow of loosing him.
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Lisa,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your son, Burke. It is incredible that this Cardinal has been following you from room to room – just amazing. I believe, too, that he is somehow with you and happy for you that you have this peace. Many thanks, again, for sharing your beautiful story!
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Wow! I am so very sorry about the loss of your son. I do believe the cardinal is a sign from him. I love how he follows up around. Hugs and prayers for your family.
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My parents always loved the red cardinals and we fed them growing up in our wooded yard. Whenever I see a cardinal I always think of my deceased parents. One time when my husband and I were going through a tough time, I heard a noise at my dining room window at 10;00 pm. I thought it was our cat pecking at a bug outside. No cat around, but a red cardinal was pecking on the window— at 10:00 pm!!! Never in my life had I heard of something like that. I believe it was Mom and Dad showing me everything was going to be ok.
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I love that story, Julia. Thank you for sharing.
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December 25, 2018 — Christmas Morning
This was my first Christmas without my husband of 44 years. I was determined to be positive and try to celebrate in some small, but memorable way. We have lived in this apartment since 1993. I took my Thorens Swiss music box out on the balcony to play some Christmas tunes. I thought it would cheer me and my neighbors might enjoy it as well. I used the handle to wind up the music box. Then I put one of the holiday discs in place and turned it on. I was only playing for a few minutes when a brilliant red male cardinal landed on the balcony railing just a few feet away from me. I thought it odd. The music was loud. I thought the bird would fly away, That bird just sat there, motionless as if he was enjoying the music,too. He visited longer than I thought he would before he left. I told this story to my sister Ellen. She said cardinals are a sign from heaven. She said it was a sign that my husband Bob had just paid me a visit. I started to cry. I could not hold back the tears. I never knew people had experiences like this with cardinals. All say that the sight of these strikingly beautiful birds helped ease the loss of loved ones. I can understand why.—Thanks to Ellen for sending me the link to this site.
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Oh Laura, this is such a wonderful story! Thank you so much for sharing this. ❤
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Less than a week after my mother passed away, I was on a business trip, and when I left the hotel in the morning, and got into my truck, I heard a knocking on my rear window. At first, I looked back and didn’t see anything. I then heard another knocking and got out to see what was hitting my rear window. It was a red cardinal. He would swoop down from the tree above my truck, knock a few times, then fly back up. He did this a few times. The last time he knocked, he sat on the top of my truck bed cover, looked at me for a maybe 5 seconds, then flew back into the tree. I have never encountered this, or heard of this. My mother loved red cardinals.
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Wonderful to feel that your mother is trying to communicate with you – and perhaps she is, Mike! I also love that she loved Red Cardinals. Thanks for sharing!
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Beautiful photos! So glad I saw this blog. I’ve never really seen a cardinal before in person. My wonderful mom passed away unexpectedly last year, leaving my entire family still grieving today. On my mom’s birthday, which was a few weeks ago, a female cardinal started appearing right outside of my window. She was chirping loudly. Now every morning, she sits right outside my window building a nest in my bush.
The bright red male also comes by as well. I looked out the front window and talked to the bird. It stared right at me, came closer and chirped. I thought it would get startled, but it stayed. In fact, I hear her chirping right now as I type. Whenever I go out back, it seems to fly out back and land in a tree in my yard and chirp.
I find it so comforting. I had asked my mom if she could send me a sign. People told me that the cardinal is a sign from heaven. I can not believe this female cardinal showed up the day of my mom’s birthday! It’s either a really big coincidence or there is some truth behind cardinals being signs from the deceased.
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We will never know for sure, Alyssa, but certainly there are enough of us out there who have experienced this and the fact that she showed up outside of your window on your mother’s B-day is so wonderful! How happy and comforted that must have made you feel. Thanks for sharing your story ❤
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I loved your story & all the pictures. Pretty incredible! I had been looking for the meaning behind the visits I have been getting from a cardinal. He comes every morning! I sit on my carport every morning, while I put my makeup on. This little guy shows up, walks around my carport, chirping. He’ll fly off, but doesn’t go far before returning moments later. He sometimes walks right up to me & sometimes sits behind me, perching on my son’s little go-cart. I have come to really look forward to seeing him every morning. Tonight, I set up a little bird feeder & some water, for a bath or to drink from. I love the idea that he could be a messenger from one of my loved ones, who’ve passed away. Thank you again. I’m not sure if you’re able to open these pictures, but wanted to try to include them. These were taken on different days, but you can see how beautiful he is & how close he gets.
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Lauren this is such a special post of yours and how great it is to have this experience so frequently as a morning ritual! Unfortunately I wasn’t able to see the pictures. I can only imagine! ❤
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PS – I just clicked on your “Norwegian Wood” post! Wow, and thank you so much for the reference! Cant wait to hear more about the book!
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I love red birds/cardinals and see them often since I live in southeastern IN.. But today as I was riding in the car, one hit the windshield! 😩 What does this mean? My dad died in August. It’s nowApril… I’ve been really missing him, so maybe that’s it. 🤷🏼♀️ I don’t know if I really believe he sees me, otherwise he’d be sad…and there’s no sadness in Heaven. But I’m sure this bird died, as hard as it hit. 😞😢
My mom is an avid bird watcher. She now has Alzheimer’s. 😢🙏🏻 Any thoughts or encouraging words for me?
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I hope that you have since seen more Cardinals, Dawna. One never knows the true meaning of all of these encounters but it certainly can give us hope that someone is trying to communicate with us. We can hold that in our hearts. ❤
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the day my dad died i was driving back to the veterans hospital where he was to meet my sister…i always loved cardinal birds and my parents and friends always got me cardinal gifts!!! then, as i am driving a cardinal bird a male, was right in front of my window flying and i knew right at that moment in my heart that my dad made it to heaven!!! there hardly was any trees around either i don’t know where he came from i think of it everyday it’s been almost 9 years now-Teri
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Oh Teri, what a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing. ❤
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Amazing pictures. I just lost my father on friday morning, we found out about a month ago he had stage 4 pancreatic cancer they gave him 2-4 months to live. The day we found out I had seen a male and female cardinal together, I believe they were my grandparents who Passed away 11 and 15 years ago, so I had reassurance that I would be able to be strong to support my dad. Then froday morning around 6 am I was sitting outside I seen a lone male cardinal jumping around in the bushes by my porch stopped and looked at me for a few mins, I suddenly just felt weird. Then at 8am my phone rings, my dad passed at 3am, only 1 month after his diagnosis
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oh wow, Jennifer. I am so sorry for your loss, and so quickly. I hope that you have been able to find peace and that this moment you shared brings you comfort in some way. Thank you for telling your story.
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A year and a half ago I was the caregiver to my mother who was dying from cancer.She passed away peacefully in my home, and I have always felt so lucky to have her with me when she left this earth. The other day I was sitting at my vanity and I looked over to see her wristwatch, I put it on and was surprised it was still keeping time. I left it on for several minutes and thought of her, then placed it back where I keep it. The next morning I went outside to walk my dog to the same place I take him every morning and I looked down to find a soaking wet 3 x 5 card so I picked it up to throw it away but was stunned to see the card was an advertisement for a wristwatch and the top of the card says “Message from Heaven” and a picture of Cardinal !!!It brought me to tears but was also so comforting I know she is here with me now. I will keep it forever I wish I could post a picture of it here, it is quite amazing!
Thank you for your article,
Paula Berndt
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Paula, that is such a wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing that. ❤
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My son committed suicide in May. A few days later my daughter and I were going through his clothes in my sewing room. I had raised the blinds so the light would come in. A beautiful red cardinal came and sat on the fence near the window. It looked like he was sitting there looking at us through the window. The next day a friend of mine and I were in my driveway talking about my son. This beautiful red cardinal came and sat on the rock wall near the driveway. My friend and I watched it as it sat and watched us. I have seen both the male and female numerous times. One day my daughter and I were sitting on the back patio. We have a patio cover and the red cardinals flew underneath the patio cover very near to us. I park my car very near my garage door. When I open the garage door, it scares off whatever is close by. However, the other morning I opened the garage door and the red cardinal was sitting on the top of my car above my door. It stayed there until I got very close. I know this is my son sending me messages that he is ok. I had not heard about the red cardinal and its meaning until this very recently. Now I have peace that my son is sending me messages.
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Rebecca, I am so happy for you that you experienced this and feel comforted. It’s amazing to me that he was sitting on top of your car like that and let you get so close – how wonderful!!! ❤
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on October 25th, 2019 my bestfriend throughout my childhood was killed in a hit and run. he was 18. he impacted my life more than anyone else. there wasn’t a thing on this earth he wouldn’t do for me. he would always protect me and he would always make sure i had hope and that i believed in myself. he made me the good in things. when he died i kept seeing signs i believed were from him. everytime i was craving his hug i would talk to him and something unordinary would pop up… for example the morning after when i got the call i left work and was devastated… a complete mess. i had to go to a celebration of life for my dads best friend who had just passed and it was on the lake. well it was raining. the whole time i was praying and crying and i felt the rain just stop… i looked up and there was a rainbow above me. it lasted for about a minute and then it started raining again. he also liked to come to me in deer. there was a deer behind his house one day after i left from seeing his family and we live by the water and not by the woods. also the first week without him, everyday on my way to school i saw the same cat in the same place on a ramp exiting a highway. the most recent have been cardinals. everyday i go to work, anytime i go outside, there sits a cardinal facing me. and it’s the most amazing feeling ever that he’s still sending me all the signs. he’s continuing to make me believe even when i physically can’t see him or talk to him or feel him and i still feel his love for me. there have been several other signs but you get the point just thought i’d share some of my story.
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Two and a half weeks ago I was diagnosed with cancer and lupus they never diagnosed me and it is now taking my organs they gave me 6 months to live yesterday I was in a hotel in Bloomington Indiana and a cardinal landed on my balcony since yesterday he has been sitting in the tree and has not left when he flies away he flies to my balcony flies back to the tree when I go out there and look for him there is in the tree looking at me I know I have six months but it’s made me very comfortable and I think that is just truly the greatest gift
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Elizabeth, I am so sorry to hear of your illness. I am just seeing this message now, and am hoping that since then they have found a way to combat the cancer in some way. I am happy to know that cardinal at least gave you the gift of comfort. Blessings to you… and stay strong! <3. I'm also sorry to read about the loss of your mom so tragically. Thank you for adding this blogpost into your story.
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My grandfather and my dad, his son, passed away 2 years ago. My grandfather loved Cardinals, his favorite bird. He had clocks, dishes, baskets, everything with a Cardinal on it. He had bird feeders on his deck, I use to see the male ones all the time, bright red, beautiful. And it wasn’t until a year ago, I saw one on my deck, thinking I haven’t seen one in years!!! And every so often, once in a blue moon, I’d have one land on my feeder or deck or just in close by trees. But I’d always think of my grandfather. It wasn’t til my mother told me that a Cardinal is a sign of a passed loved one looking out for you. Maybe that’s why my Grandfather loved them so much, thinking of his lost ones. But since his and my fathers death, I’ve only seen them a few times. And those times have been something in need, or something special, a significant moment.
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I’m glad that you are able to find those to be such significant moments for you, Sarah! Thank you for sharing.
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DOES IT HAVE TO BE A MALE RED CARDINAL OR CAN IT BE A FEMALE?
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It can be either, Bob!
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I lost my husband of 50 years this year. Before I tell this story I need to say I never heard that cardinals were thought to be the spirit of loved ones. And if I did hear it I would have smiled and nodded but in my head thought – that’s sweet but impossible. A few days after I lost him a cardinal flew outside my window and just looked at me for a long while and flew off. First cardinal I had seen since winter. I had the strongest intense feeling this was my husband. I did not dare tell anyone (then) because I knew they would think what I would have thought – no way. Next day I walked to my mailbox and five or six cardinals followed me all the way down the drive flying overhead. I moved my husband’s car and a large cardinal landed in the driveway a few feet in front of the car. Many times I sat outside on my patio crying my heart out and a cardinal does a low fly by. Just appears and flies directly in front of me and disappears. I look into a tree and see a cardinal. Then it is just gone. Just disappeared. This happens when I am hurting and crying desperately. I was driving on the interstate – yes the interstate – and crying my eyes out (again) and I looked on the side of the interstate and there was a big red cardinal. Again on my patio – having a meltdown – a cardinal kept flying into my bedroom window. I just put up my Christmas tree and the first time in my entire life I was doing this alone. And yes – that brought on another episode of intense grief. I looked outside the window and a big cardinal landed on a bird feeder and just looked at me and flew off. He did not eat – just stared at me. Next day went into my kitchen and again was crying and here he is again. Landed outside the window and just stared at me. I could go on and on. This is happening when I need him and am crying out to him I have only shared this with a few people. Only my dearest friends. One said – this is too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence. If anyone else told me this I would not have believed it. Never in a million years. That’s why I don’t tell many people about it.
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MY SON DEREK TRANSITIONED 17 YEARS AGO TODAY AND IT’S HARD THIS TIME OF YEAR FOR ME AND HIS 3 SISTERS. TONIGHT I WAS FEELING SAD AND WAS ASKING FOR A SIGN FROM HIM. MY CAT WAS LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW, MAKING SOME LITTLE NOISES HARD TO DESCRIBE. I WENT OVER AND THERE WAS A RED CARDINAL, PUTTING ON A SHOW ON THE DECK! MY SON LIKED TO JOKE AROUND AND I FELT THAT ENERGY FROM RED BIRD! I FOUND YOUR SITE WHEN LOOKING FOR A HOPEFUL MESSAGE TO PUT ON FB! THANK YOU ❤
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The morning my mother passed away from cancer, a cardinal sat outside her window for more than an hour. He looked like he was looking in and watching her. At the time I didn’t know the symbolism associated with a cardinal, but something about the bird that morning was comforting.
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I recently bought a bungalow in south Florida. I have lived down for 40 years. I have been going through renovations on the bungalow so I am still renting my apartment that I have lived in for 9 years. In January 2004 I got sick with a bout of bronchitis. Well the cough didn’t go away. My love of being outdoors was put on hold for 13 years because doctors could not figure it out. I have had lots of medications to try over the years. Food allergies was part of it, yes I finally found a doctor that cared more for the patient than writing prescriptions. Together we have managed to get me back to a somewhat normal life. But those years took a toll. I am now 58 years old and yes I bought a bungalow, I bought it mainly because of the back yard. It has been grown into a little private park. But now someone else (me) needs to maintain the beauty. So today I’m sitting in the backyard wondering if I made a mistake. I’m talking to my mother who passed away when I was 22, we buried her on my 23rd birthday. So she’s been gone over 35 years. But I’m sitting here when I should be inside painting. I’m questioning myself on this purchase, I do have my son living with me so in the beginning we will both be working on it. But back to talking to mother, I’m telling her about the blue jay that came down so I could have touched him. There are little finches flying around and still questioning my purchase. Did I make the right decision Mom? I wish you were here to see it Mom and then I see a bright red cardinal sitting in a tree as if he’s listening to me talk to Mom. Tears started flowing down my face as I realized 3 things, he was a sign from mt Mom, I had not coughed in the hour that I have been sitting out here and 3rd? I did not have my phone with me to take his picture. But yes I made the right decision on buying this private park.
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My son just passed away Dec 30, 2019. He was 22 yrs old and was so full of life, He was great… He was therapist and a addiction counselor for adolescents, he touched and helped hundreds of people in his short time here. We had his service on Jan 11th and nearly 700 people showed up for the service, it was beautiful. Well, we had a ceremony of ashes for him 2 weeks ago out Anderson, TX. One of his favorite places to be. On the drive up there I was talking to him asking him to please show me a sign that he was okay and that he was at peace. (In my mind I kept thinking of a bird) Not sure why. So we finally arrive there after a 2.5 hour drive and family members start arriving as well, all the while I was just sitting at a table in the dining hall looking outside the windows at the special ceremony location that we were going to spread his ashes. Well… I noticed something up on the top of window and it was a Bright Red Cardinal perched on the window ledge looking right at me. I grabbed my wife and told her to look and she said omg that’s him! The cardinal then started flying around the window as if he was wanted to go inside. I said “Hi Son”…. It gave me an overwhelming feeling of comfort. Just yesterday I was talking to brother in law about my son outside his house on the back patio and low and behold who shows up? A male cardinal on the tree behind the fence just staring at us. He told me that he never sees them in his backyard.
I truly believe that Cardinals are spirits from Heaven and that it is indeed My Handsome Son letting me know that he is okay.
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The Town where I live & grew up in has been known to have a large population of these birds. There are so many that the High School teams are all known as the Cardinals. My Father has been gone for over 30 years now & I had noticed some of these birds over the years since his passing but not many.. it wasn’t until maybe 5-6 years ago I noticed a male ..perched on the fence in my front yard, on the hitching post near the driveway, in a tree or on the telephone lines in front of the house. He returned with a great frequency, sitting solitary & alone as if he were waiting patiently for something or someone. This is where it gets interesting. My Mother passed away a little over 2 years ago & there was a time after where there were no cardinals to be seen.. plenty of jay birds, sparrows, crows , even hawks. It wasn’t until about a year later that the male came back with all his bright plumage.. Again sitting, waiting. Then one day it was joined by a female. Now he wasn’t alone anymore..So there are two.. a pair that come & go, sit & perch. I took pictures. Coincidence? I don’t know.. all I do know is that there a lot of things in this world that aren’t so simply explained away.
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Would love to hear comments about the cardinals
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My father passed away in 1994. Since 1996 or 97 the same single cardinal will fly into one of the windows at my mothers house. It has came back every year since. It flies into the window scratches around then flies back to a tree. She has marked on the calendar every year the day it returns. It came back today and flew into all the front windows on her house. We can tell it is the same cardinal. It is at least 24 years old now. It sticks around all summer long. I heard that Cardinals only live to about 15 years old?
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My father-in-law passed away in a tragic accident about 8 years ago. My husband and I met about 6 months later. It’s actually his and my father’s deaths that aligned everything for my husband and I to meet. My father-in-law’s dog Heidi was by his side every second of the day and was with him when he passed. Heidi has been my baby girl since my husband and I met. Last night into this morning she went through repeated seizures leaving her a semi-paralyzed state. This morning she went over the rainbow bridge to be with my father-in-law again. About 2 hours after her passing, the kids and I noticed a beautiful cardinal outside our kitchen window. I truly believe Rex was letting me know that Heidi made it back home to him.
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I was driving along a sidestreet the other day and I saw a female and a male cardinal together on the ground. I stopped my car beside them and surprisingly they did not fly away. I read somewhere that seeing a red cardinal `speaks life` to you. Perhaps seeing a male and female together means you will get the girl you are after and I have been praying about a certain girl a long time. Great and remarkable pictures above, by the way. I love it.
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My dad passed away on March 20th. 4 days later a red cardinal appeared as well as 4 doves. My dad told us to look for the birds before he died. One dove sat in a branch very close to me and watched me for a long time. I believe it was my dad as well as his sister who died a year before him and his parents. My sister and step mom said they also saw doves in her yard for 3 days after my dad passed. They live in a different state than I do.
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My soul-mate of 48 years passed away this morning at 8:30 am, an hour later while out walking my dog, a male cardinal flew across my path, landed in a tree & looked down momentarily then flew to a higher branch before flying away. I did ask him prior to his death to come back to me as a cardinal & land on my shoulder….close enough🕊
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So sorry for your loss. And yes, I would say close enough also.
Sending condolences your way, may he visit you again.
Deb
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My dad passed away July 2019 of cancer, he found out and only lived a month, the day I found out I seen two Cardinals a male and female, they were together for a while watching me. Then the day he passed before I found out I seen a lone male cardinal. I think the first two could of been my grandparents whom I was very close with who passed away years ago, and the lone male I think was my dad.
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My mother passed away in 1984 when I was 22. I have always said that I missed growing old with her. When I bought my house in November 2019 I was excited by the seemingly secret garden in the backyard. Since we were having work done on the house, the move didn’t happen till mid January. I would come over and walk through this secret garden. I felt overwhelmed one day and sat down on a bench. I was crying and talking to my mother, she would have loved this garden. I asked her if I made the right decision and if she could send me a sign. I had been watching blue jays and little finches flying around. I had the sensation that I was being watched. I was the only one on the property. I turned to look and on a dead tree in the back corner about 10 feet from me sat the brightest red cardinal I had ever seen. I felt my mother had answered my question with “yes you made the right decision”. And now I feel that I did truly make the right decision, If I had not bought the house when I did I would not have been able to buy a house. You see, I lost my job of over 16 years when COVID 19 struck, I am 59, this was my last opportunity to buy a house to retire in.
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I found this site googling how there could possibly be like 20 cardinals in my yard right now! Almost all year round I see multiples, but today they’re sharing feeders and sitting on the same table and not fighting? I thought this was weird bc they are territorial. My grandma died last year and grandpa the year before, I’ve lost a lot of loved ones in my life and have gotten clean and left an abusive relationship over the last year…Anyway thanks for the post it’s lovely to think about ❤
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Nicole, first of all congratulations to you on your positive life changes! Secondly, it IS lovely to think about… so glad you came across the blog and thanks for telling us your story! Enjoy those cardinals ❤️
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