Robert Berry photographed this striking male cardinal foraging on the ground under a very crowded feeder. Once winter comes, we often find small flocks of cardinals hanging around together at the garden. The most I've (Christine) ever seen at one time has been 8. Many birds flock in winter, the reasons are varied, and we don't really know why, but speculate that more eyes find more food, and there is also, no doubt, safety in numbers.