Best Time to See Cardinals in Pennsylvania
April, May and March is the best time to see cardinals in Pennsylvania. Based on 14,046 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when cardinals are most active across the year in Pennsylvania.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Northern Cardinal · Public domain CC0
Northern Cardinal · Public domain CC0
Northern Cardinal · Public domain CC0
14,046 verified observations of cardinals in Pennsylvania, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When cardinals are recorded in Pennsylvania
Peak month
April
2,480 records (17.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1,514 | 10.8% |
| February | 1,346 | 9.6% |
| Marchpeak | 1,645 | 11.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,480 | 17.7% |
| Maypeak | 1,877 | 13.4% |
| June | 1,109 | 7.9% |
| July | 758 | 5.4% |
| August | 486 | 3.5% |
| September | 605 | 4.3% |
| October | 568 | 4% |
| November | 686 | 4.9% |
| December | 972 | 6.9% |
Cardinals you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Northern Cardinal | 14,046 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Pennsylvania
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when cardinals are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for cardinals sit around 31 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 23°F | 3.1" |
| Feb | 41°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
| Marbest time | 50°F | 31°F | 3.3" |
| Aprbest time | 60°F | 40°F | 4.1" |
| Maybest time | 70°F | 49°F | 4.1" |
| Jun | 79°F | 59°F | 3.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 65°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 84°F | 64°F | 4.3" |
| Sep | 75°F | 57°F | 3.9" |
| Oct | 64°F | 47°F | 4" |
| Nov | 51°F | 35°F | 2.4" |
| Dec | 43°F | 29°F | 4.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Pennsylvania. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on cardinals in Pennsylvania:
Sightings of cardinals in Pennsylvania peak in April, when 2,480 of the year's 14,046 verified observations are logged — about 17.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is August, October and September, when cardinals are hardest to find — August sees just 486 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The cardinals you are most likely to encounter in Pennsylvania are Northern Cardinal — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see cardinals in Pennsylvania
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Fort Necessity National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Friendship Hill National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see cardinals in Pennsylvania?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 14,046 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are cardinals hardest to see in Pennsylvania?+
August is the quietest month for cardinals in Pennsylvania, with only 486 verified records.
Are cardinals active year-round in Pennsylvania?+
Cardinals are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Pennsylvania, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see cardinals
More wildlife in Pennsylvania