Pierre, South Dakota – A rare genetic mutation could cause a bright yellow northern cardinal to appear in South Dakota backyards this spring, an occurrence ornithologists estimate may happen in roughly one in a million birds.
Northern cardinals are widely recognized for the male’s vivid red feathers. According to wildlife experts, that coloration comes from carotenoid pigments found in fruits and berries. In extremely rare cases, a genetic mutation prevents those pigments from converting to red, resulting in yellow plumage instead.
Though uncommon, documented sightings continue to surface nationwide. One of the most recent confirmed reports occurred in the St. Louis, Missouri, area in 2025. Another was documented in Bath, Michigan, in 2024.
Experts emphasize that yellow cardinals are not a separate species and are not considered a threat or environmental warning sign. They are healthy northern cardinals displaying a naturally occurring genetic variation.
While northern cardinals are more common in eastern and central South Dakota, sightings have expanded westward in recent decades. Spring breeding season increases activity in neighborhoods, shelterbelts, and wooded river corridors, where cardinals frequently visit backyard feeders stocked with black-oil sunflower seeds.
Residents who notice unusual coloration are encouraged to document sightings through bird-monitoring platforms such as eBird to assist researchers tracking rare occurrences.
While the odds remain extremely low, careful observation this season could reveal one of the rarest backyard bird variations in North America.
