A Once-in-a-Million Sight: The Rare Yellow Cardinal That Stole Everyone’s Attention
Imagine spotting a bird so rare that even seasoned bird-watchers dream of it. That’s exactly what happened to Charlie Stephenson, a bird enthusiast from Alabama, who experienced a jaw-dropping moment in her own backyard. What she saw wasn’t the familiar red cardinal we all know — it was yellow.
Yes, you read that right. A yellow cardinal!
Recalling the moment, Charlie said, “I thought, ‘Well, there’s a bird I’ve never seen before.’ Then I realized it was a cardinal, and it was yellow!” The excitement didn’t stop there. She quickly recorded a video to document this incredible sighting.
For Charlie, who spends a lot of time by her bird feeder, spotting such a rare creature wasn’t entirely surprising. But her discovery soon caught the attention of her friend, Jerry Black, a wildlife and wedding photographer. After seeing Charlie’s post about the yellow cardinal, Jerry couldn’t resist asking if he could visit and try his luck at photographing the elusive bird.
Armed with patience and his camera, Jerry spent five hours waiting by the feeder. Finally, his perseverance paid off — the yellow cardinal returned, and he managed to capture stunning photos of this one-in-a-million bird.
What makes a yellow cardinal so rare? Cardinals are usually bright red, but a genetic mutation called xanthochroism gives some an eye-catching yellow hue. This mutation is incredibly uncommon, making each sighting a remarkable event.
Even experts are amazed. Geoffrey Hill, a biology professor at Auburn University, shared his perspective: “I’ve been bird-watching in the range of cardinals for 40 years and have never seen a yellow one in the wild. I’d estimate that in any given year, there are maybe two or three yellow cardinals at backyard feeding stations across the U.S. or Canada.”
Now imagine the thrill of being one of the lucky few to witness this phenomenon!
Would you wait five hours to see a bird like this? Share this story with your friends and let us know — have you ever seen a rare bird like the yellow cardinal?
