Calling all bird lovers! Are you keen on welcoming vibrant red cardinals into your yard, transforming it into a lively spectacle of nature? With their rich melodies and stunning plumage, cardinals are a joy to behold and hear.
The journey to enticing these captivating birds involves a mix of smart feeder placement, the right type of food, and creating a safe, welcoming environment. So, let’s delve into the world of cardinals and explore some tips and tricks that will turn your backyard into their favorite destination.
Attracting cardinals involves providing the right food, like sunflower seeds and safflower seeds, in a feeder they prefer, such as a hopper or platform feeder. Cardinals also appreciate water sources for drinking and bathing, and dense shrubbery or small trees for nesting and safety.
Key Takeaways
- Cardinals are ground feeders, so they prefer to eat seeds and nuts that are on the ground or on low feeders.
- They also enjoy fruits like berries and grapes, as well as insects and spiders.
- Cardinals are monogamous and mate for life. During the breeding season, males will often bring food to the females as a courtship ritual.
- Male cardinals are known for their beautiful singing, which they use to attract females and to mark their territory.
- Cardinals are social birds and often travel in pairs or small groups.
Attracting Cardinals
Cardinals are beautiful birds that are native to North America. The most common type of cardinal is the Northern Cardinal, which is known for its bright red color. Male and female cardinals are very different with the male Northern Cardinals are bright red, while females are a more muted brown color with touches of red.
Choosing the Right Food
Cardinals love to eat seeds, so providing them with a variety of seeds is a great way to attract them to your yard. Black oil sunflower seeds and safflower seeds are both favorites of cardinals. You can also try offering them peanuts, cracked corn, and millet.
Setting Up a Feeder
Setting up a bird feeder is a great way to attract cardinals to your yard. Make sure to choose a feeder that is large enough to accommodate cardinals, as they are larger than many other backyard birds. You should also choose a feeder that is easy to clean and refill.
Providing Water
Cardinals enjoy taking baths and drinking from bird baths, so providing them with a source of water is important. You can set up a bird bath in your yard or provide them with a shallow dish of water.
Providing Shelter
Cardinals like to have a place to hide and feel safe, so providing them with some shelter is a good idea. You can plant bushes or trees in your yard to provide them with a place to hide. You can also put up birdhouses or nesting boxes to provide them with a place to nest.
Avoiding Predators
Cardinals are vulnerable to predators, so it’s important to take steps to protect them. Make sure to place your bird feeder and bird bath in a location that is not easily accessible to cats or other predators. You can also put up netting or wire mesh around your feeder to keep predators out.
Best Foods for Cardinals
If you want to attract cardinals to your yard, providing them with their favorite foods is a surefire way to do it. Cardinals are known for their love of bird seed and nuts, and there are several types of food that you can use to entice them to your feeders. They have a large jaw which allows them to crack or crush seeds
Northern cardinals prefer sunflower seeds. They love black oil sunflower seeds, which are smaller than regular sunflower seeds and have a black shell. You can also try offering striped sunflower seeds or sunflower hearts, which are hulled sunflower seeds.
Safflower seeds are another favorite of cardinals. They are high in protein and fat, which makes them a great source of energy for birds. Safflower seeds have a thick shell that is difficult for some birds to crack open, but cardinals have strong beaks that can easily handle them.
Cardinals eat cracked corn, which is a great source of carbohydrates. You can also offer them peanuts, which are high in protein and fat. If you want to provide them with a source of animal protein, you can try offering suet, which is made from animal fat.
Cardinals also enjoy fresh berries, apple chunks, and insects. If you have a garden, consider planting native plants and shrubs that produce berries and fruits that cardinals love. During the summer breeding season most cardinals will mainly eat insects so offering mealworms can be ideal.
Audubon Park Cardinal Blend Wild Bird Food
The Perfect Treat For Your Feathered Friends
Nothing can make your mornings more refreshing than watching vibrant cardinals and other birds flocking around your bird feeder. Add the Audubon Park Cardinal Blend Wild Bird Food to your bird feeding regime, and let the feathery spectacle unfold! Specially formulated with 100% sunflower and safflower seeds, this bird food has no fillers, offering the purest, energy-packed meal to your avian visitors.
- Pure Ingredients: No fillers, only 100% sunflower and safflower seeds, providing a wholesome and nutritious diet for birds.
- Attracts Variety of Birds: This mix doesn’t just draw cardinals; you’ll see titmice, chickadees, finches, grosbeaks, and more enjoying the feast.
- Squirrel Repellant: Safflower seeds are rich in oil and are disliked by squirrels, ensuring that your bird feeder isn’t raided by these pests.
- Ideal for Different Feeders: Use this blend in hopper, tube, or platform feeders for maximum versatility.
Ideal Plants and Trees
One of the best ways to attract cardinals to your yard is to plant their favorite trees and shrubs. These birds are voracious seed eaters, and they love to forage in natural landscapes. By adding some of their favorite seed sources to your yard, you can encourage them to visit your landscape year-round.
Here are some of the ideal plants and trees to attract cardinals:
Trees
Cardinals love to nest in trees, and they prefer trees that offer good cover and protection. Some of the best trees to plant in your yard include:
- Dogwood: This tree is a favorite of cardinals, as it offers good cover and protection. Dogwood trees also produce berries that cardinals love to eat.
- Sumac: Sumac trees are another great choice, as they produce clusters of small red berries that cardinals find irresistible.
- Serviceberry: Serviceberry trees produce small, blue-black berries that cardinals love to eat. They also offer good cover and protection.
Shrubs
Shrubs are another great way to attract cardinals to your yard. These birds love to nest in shrubs, and they prefer shrubs that offer good cover and protection. Some of the best shrubs to plant in your yard include:
- Grape: Cardinals love to eat grape seeds, so planting a grapevine in your yard is a great way to attract them.
- Hackberry: Hackberry shrubs produce small, sweet berries that cardinals love to eat. They also offer good cover and protection.
Plants
Finally, planting the right plants can also help attract cardinals and other wild birds to your yard. These birds love to forage on the ground, so planting the right plants can provide them with a good source of food. Some of the best plants to plant in your yard include:
- Dill: Dill plants produce small, black seeds that cardinals love to eat. They also attract insects, which cardinals also eat.
- Fennel: Fennel plants produce small, black seeds that cardinals love to eat. They also attract insects, which cardinals also eat.
Creating a Bird-Friendly Environment
Attracting cardinals to your yard requires creating a bird-friendly environment that provides everything they need to thrive. Here are some tips to help you create a welcoming habitat for these beautiful birds.
Providing Shelter and Nesting Sites
Cardinals prefer to nest in thickets, foliage, evergreen trees and shrubbery. You can create a suitable nesting environment by planting bushes and shrubs that provide cover and protection. You can also install birdhouses in your yard to give the female cardinal a safe place to nest along with suitable nesting material. Make sure the birdhouses are placed in a protected area away from predators and once you get a few cardinals nesting, more cardinals should follow.
Offering Food and Water
Cardinals love to eat seeds, so make sure you have a bird feeder that is large enough for them to perch and feed comfortably. A platform feeder is the best option for cardinals as they prefer room to maneuver. Black oil sunflower seeds and safflower seeds are two of their favorite foods. You can also put out suet feeders in the winter to provide extra energy.
Cardinals need a source of water. A bird bath or a shallow dish of water can provide a place for them to drink and bathe. Consider installing a heated bird bath to provide water during the colder months.
Creating Protective Shelter
Cardinals need a safe place to rest and take cover from predators. You can create protective shelter by planting dense shrubbery and foliage around your yard. This will provide them with a place to hide and take cover when necessary.
Adding Nesting Materials
Cardinals need nesting materials to build their nests. You can provide nesting materials by putting out small piles of twigs, grass, and other natural materials. This will encourage cardinals to build their nests in your yard.
Protecting Cardinals from Predators
Cardinals are beautiful birds that are often preyed upon by various predators. To ensure that these birds are safe in your backyard, you need to take some measures to protect them from predators. Here are some tips to help you keep your feathered friends safe:
1. Keep your pets indoors
Cats and dogs are natural predators, and they can pose a significant threat to birds. Keep your pets indoors or on a leash when they’re outside to avoid them from attacking birds, including cardinals.
2. Install bird feeders in safe locations
Bird feeders can attract predators, such as squirrels, raccoons, and even hawks. Place your bird feeders in areas where predators cannot easily access them. You can also use squirrel-proof bird feeders to keep squirrels from eating all the food and attracting other predators.
3. Use window decals
Cardinals are known to fly into windows, which can be fatal. To prevent this, use window decals or stickers to make the windows more visible to birds. This will help reduce the number of birds that collide with your windows.
4. Cover reflective surfaces
Cardinals are attracted to reflective surfaces, such as mirrors and shiny objects. Cover these surfaces with curtains or blinds to prevent the birds from colliding with them.
5. Provide shelter
Cardinals need shelter to protect themselves from predators. Plant bushes and trees that provide cover and nesting sites for the birds. You can also install birdhouses to provide additional shelter for cardinals and other birds.
FAQS on Attract Cardinals To Your Yard
What food attracts cardinals?
Cardinals are particularly attracted to black oil sunflower seeds and safflower seeds. They’re also known to enjoy cracked corn and peanut pieces. Offering these in your bird feeder can increase your chances of attracting cardinals.
What time of day are cardinals most active?
Cardinals are most active during the early morning and late evening hours, known as the “crepuscular” hours. It’s during these times that they typically visit bird feeders for a meal. However, it’s not uncommon to see cardinals throughout the day, especially near feeders.
What are the best birdseeds for cardinals?
The best bird seeds for cardinals are black oil sunflower seeds and safflower seeds. These seeds have high oil content that provides essential nutrients and energy for the birds, and their shells are easy for cardinals to crack open.
Wagner’s Black Oil Sunflower Seed
When it comes to winning hearts across the aviary kingdom, Wagner’s Black Oil Sunflower Seed reigns supreme!
As a bird-feeding enthusiast, you yearn to see a diverse array of feathery friends in your backyard. Wagner’s Black Oil Sunflower Seed provides just that, offering an irresistible feast that lures various species. It’s not only cost-effective, but it’s also an all-around crowd-pleaser that your avian visitors will absolutely adore!
Pros
- Wide Variety of Birds: With Wagner’s, attract the widest array of birds right in your backyard. From Cardinals to Woodpeckers, every bird species loves these sunflower seeds.
- High Energy Content: Each seed is rich in energy, helping birds maintain a healthy lifestyle and giving them the boost they need to soar high.
- Easy to Consume: The thin shell of this sunflower seed makes it easily accessible for small beaked birds, ensuring every bird can relish this delicious feed.
- Quality and Purity: Customers love that Wagner’s offers high-quality seeds with minimal twigs and other debris. Your bag is filled to the brim with pure, high-grade bird food.
Cons
- Shell remnants: The downside of shelled seeds is the potential mess under your feeder.
- Limited to seed-eating birds: Might not attract species that prefer insects or fruit.
Where is the best place to put cardinal feeders?
The best place to put cardinal feeders is about 5-6 feet off the ground and near dense shrubbery or small trees. Cardinals prefer to feed in areas with good cover and easy escape routes. The feeder should also be in a quiet location, away from high traffic areas.
