strong bonded

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"One Native American story holds that if one cardinal dies, its mate isn't long for the world either, for their spirits are joined forever. They are two bodies but one spirit," writes Jon Young in his book What the Robin Knows.

Young says that their bond is so strong, a mated pair of Northern cardinals is rarely separated by more than 30 yards or so, "chipping" companion calls throughout the day, keeping in touch with each others movements within their claimed territory.

Karen Sue saw a male cardinal feeding a female at the feeder, perhaps sealing the deal on the pair's bond.

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