Quick Answer
Yes, cardinals do like shelled sunflower seeds. Cardinals are seed-eating songbirds that thrive on a diet of various seeds, including sunflower seeds. Shelled sunflower seeds make for an easy, nutritious snack that cardinals can access without having to crack open a hard shell. Offering shelled sunflower seeds in bird feeders or platforms can help attract cardinals to your backyard.
Do Cardinals Eat Sunflower Seeds?
Cardinals are omnivorous songbirds that feed on insects, berries, and a variety of seeds. Sunflower seeds are a preferred food source for cardinals. In fact, sunflower seeds make up a significant portion of a cardinal’s diet.
Some key facts about cardinals and sunflower seeds:
- Cardinals regularly visit bird feeders stocked with sunflower seeds. This seed is one of their favorites.
- They use their strong beaks to crack open the hard outer shell of sunflower seeds.
- The meaty insides of sunflower seeds provide cardinals with important nutrients like healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- Cardinals living in urban and suburban areas may get over 50% of their annual food from bird feeders, much of which are likely sunflower seeds.
- Shelled sunflower seeds allow cardinals easy access to the nutritious inner kernel without having to crack the shell.
So in short, yes, cardinals readily seek out and consume sunflower seeds as a key part of their broad diet. Offering sunflower seeds, especially shelled ones, is a great way to attract cardinals to your yard.
Why Do Cardinals Like Sunflower Seeds?
Cardinals flock to sunflower seeds for several important reasons:
High in Fat and Protein
The meaty insides of sunflower seeds are very high in fat and protein – two nutrients critical for cardinals. Fat provides essential energy. Protein provides amino acids needed for growth, reproduction, and metabolic functions.
Packed with Vitamins and Minerals
Sunflower seeds provide a powerhouse package of vital vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper. All provide health benefits for robust feathers, bones, beaks, and metabolism.
Readily Available Food Source
Cardinals living near human habitats know that sunflower seeds are a reliable, abundant food source thanks to backyard bird feeders. Access to feeders offers easy nutrition.
Tasty Flavor
The rich, nutty flavor of sunflower seeds likely appeals to a cardinal’s taste preferences. The combination of tastiness and nutrition make sunflower seeds an ideal food.
So with their stellar nutritional profile and convenience, it’s easy to see why resourceful cardinals seek out sunflower seeds wherever they can find them.
Do Cardinals Prefer Shelled or Unshelled Sunflower Seeds?
Cardinals can consume either shelled or unshelled sunflower seeds. However, shelled sunflower seeds seem to be their top choice for several reasons:
Easier Access to Nutrition
Shelled sunflower seeds allow cardinals to immediately access the inner meat and nutrition without having to crack open the hard outer shell. This saves energy and effort.
Less Mess at Feeders
Feeders filled with shelled sunflower seeds tend to stay cleaner. Cardinal don’t have to chip away and drop seed fragments on the ground.
Faster Feeding
Cardinals can eat more quickly when sunflower seeds are shelled in advance. They don’t have to stop and crack each seed, which takes time.
Better for Young Cardinals
Young cardinals may have more trouble cracking unshellled seeds due to their smaller, less developed beaks. Shelled seeds are easier for them to manage as they learn to feed.
So while cardinals can and will eat both shelled and unshelled seeds, shelled sunflower seeds seem to offer an easier, less messy, more efficient feeding option.
Nutritional Profile of Sunflower Seeds for Cardinals
Here is an overview of the key nutrients found in sunflower seeds that cardinals need:
Fat
Sunflower seeds contain over 50% fat content. The predominant type is polyunsaturated linoleic fatty acids. Fat provides the most concentrated energy source for cardinals.
Protein
Sunflower seeds offer a high protein content of over 20%. Protein provides amino acids for muscle growth and repair.
Vitamin E
Sunflower seeds are very high in vitamin E. This antioxidant vitamin boosts the cardinal’s immune system and helps prevent diseases.
B Vitamins
Sunflower seeds provide high levels of B vitamins like niacin, folate, thiamin, riboflavin and more. B vitamins help regulate cardinal metabolism.
Minerals
Sunflower seeds supply many key minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, manganese, copper and selenium. These support bone health, oxygen circulation, immunity, feathers, enzymes and more.
Phytosterols
Sunflower seeds contain phytosterols which help regulate cholesterol absorption and promote cardiovascular health.
Overall, sunflower seeds give cardinals an extremely well-rounded package of nutrition in one small seed. The ideal food!
How to Offer Shelled Sunflower Seeds to Attract Cardinals
Here are some tips for offering shelled sunflower seeds to attract cardinals to your yard:
Use a Bird Feeder
A tube feeder, hopper feeder, or tray feeder with a mesh bottom works well. Make sure the feeder is easy for cardinals to perch on. Place in an open spot near trees or shrubs.
Offer on a Platform Feeder
A simple wooden platform feeder placed 1-2 feet off the ground is ideal. Cardinals prefer to feed closer to the ground.
Scatter Seeds on the Ground
Sprinkling shelled sunflower seeds directly on the ground under a shrub or tree will attract cardinals. Just be aware seeds may attract squirrels too.
Provide Fresh Water
Having a birdbath, fountain, or other fresh water source nearby gives cardinals a place to drink and bathe while feeding.
Be Consistent
Refill with fresh seeds every 1-2 days so cardinals learn it as a reliable food source. Be patient, as it may take a week or two for cardinals to start visiting.
With a little effort, you can create the ideal cardinal cafeteria right in your own backyard using delicious, nutritious shelled sunflower seeds!
Conclusion
Cardinals are specialized seed-eating birds that absolutely love sunflower seeds. In particular, they gravitate toward shelled sunflower seeds which offer easy access to the nutritious inner kernel. Rich in healthy fats, protein, vitamins and minerals, sunflower seeds provide an ideal source of natural energy and nutrition for cardinals. By offering shelled sunflower seeds in your yard, you can readily attract these beautiful red birds. With a quality bird feeder and a regular supply of their favorite food, you’ll be rewarded with regular cardinal visits. Just be sure to provide shelled sunflower seeds without shells or hulls so the cardinals can enjoy easy, satisfying snacks.