Or so my mother has always said.
Cardinals were her mom's favorite bird.
And her mom's mom (a young widow) favorite bird. Thus, the thought.
They became my mother's favorite, too.

Without bird feeders to attract them, I feel honored when Cardinals grace our yard.

Plus, after a mated Cardinal pair used our Solar Room to nest and raise young:
https://pbase.com/britestar/image/163177025,

I now feel a special attachment to them myself.
Although that pair wasn't invited (and I wasn't happy at first), the Cardinal pair just made themselves to home.
It ended up being a magical experience with absolutely no destruction.
Perhaps angels really were near.