Montpelier, Vermont – A rare genetic mutation could cause a bright yellow northern cardinal to appear in Vermont backyards this spring, an occurrence experts estimate may happen in roughly one in a million birds.
Northern cardinals are known for the male’s vivid red feathers, which come from carotenoid pigments found in fruits and berries. Ornithologists explain that in extremely rare cases, a genetic mutation prevents those pigments from converting to red, resulting in yellow plumage instead.
Documented sightings remain uncommon but continue to surface nationwide. Two of the most recent reports were confirmed in Bath, Michigan, in 2024 and in the St. Louis, Missouri, area in 2025.
Wildlife experts emphasize that yellow cardinals are not a separate species and are not linked to environmental hazards. They are healthy northern cardinals displaying a naturally occurring genetic variation.
Cardinals are year-round residents in Vermont and do not migrate. As spring breeding season approaches, they become more active and vocal, increasing the chances of noticeable backyard sightings.
The birds frequently visit feeders, especially those stocked with black-oil sunflower seeds. Residents who observe unusual coloration are encouraged to document and report sightings through bird-tracking platforms such as eBird.
While the odds remain extremely low, careful observation this spring could reveal one of the rarest backyard bird variations in North America.
