Cardinals are beautiful red birds that can often be seen at backyard bird feeders. They have distinctive red plumage and a crest on their heads. Many bird enthusiasts enjoy having cardinals visit their yards. When it comes to feeding cardinals, there are some key things to know about their feeding preferences and behavior.
Cardinals will eat both at feeders and on the ground
Cardinals are opportunistic feeders and will eat both at bird feeders placed above ground as well as food items on the ground. Here are some details on cardinal feeding preferences:
- Feeders: Cardinals will readily come to feeders to eat seeds. Platform feeders, hopper feeders, and tube feeders all work well. They like sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, cracked corn, milo, millet, and peanuts in the shell.
- Ground feeding: Cardinals also don’t mind coming down to the ground to pick up food. They will eat seeds and grains that have fallen from feeders above. Some people also scatter seeds, chopped fruit, mealworms, or other items right on the ground to attract ground feeding birds like cardinals.
Offering both feeding options will appeal to cardinals. They tend to be skittish, so having multiple food sources helps draw them in. Platform feeders in particular are favored by cardinals since they provide overhead cover while the birds feed below.
Cardinals prefer shelled seeds and fruits
While cardinals will eat a variety of bird seeds, they do prefer seeds that have already been shelled. Sunflower seeds and safflower seeds are favorites. Here are some details on what types of foods cardinals like:
- Sunflower seeds: Shelled sunflower seeds are highly attractive to cardinals. The birds will actively pick the sunflower seeds out of mixed bird seeds.
- Safflower seeds: Cardinals are one of the most frequent visitors to feeders stocked with safflower seeds. The bitter taste deters squirrels too.
- Fruits: Chopped fruits like apples, oranges, berries, and bananas will attract cardinals. They occasionally eat insects too.
- Nuts: Shelled peanut pieces are a favorite of cardinals.
Avoid cheaper bird seed mixes containing a lot of filler grains like milo and millet. Cardinals will pick through looking for their favorite sunflower seeds. It’s better to offer a mix with a higher percentage of attractive seeds and fruits.
Offer food in different ways to attract cardinals
To bring cardinals into your yard, try offering food in a variety of styles:
- Platform feeders: These allow birds to perch and feed with overhead cover.
- Hopper or house feeders: These protect the seed from getting wet while allowing easy access.
- Tube feeders with large ports: Specialty cardinal feeders have large seed ports.
- Ground feeding: Scatter seed on ground or platform feeders at ground level.
- Suet feeders: Offer suet, fruit, and nut suet cakes.
Having multiple feeder styles and locations will appeal to cardinal preferences and natural caution. Place feeders near trees or shrubs to provide protective cover too.
Cardinals do visit feeders at certain times
Cardinals can be seen at backyard feeders throughout the day, but they do have certain peak activity times:
- Early morning: Cardinals are most active at feeders early in the morning at first light. Their bright red plumage stands out against the morning light.
- Late afternoon: Cardinals will also readily come to feeders later in the day leading up to dusk.
- In winter: During the winter when natural food is scarce, cardinals depend more on feeders and will visit them more frequently throughout the day.
Making sure feeders are well-stocked during winter and early/late in the day will provide good sightings of brilliant red cardinals. They are less active at midday.
Protect feeders from squirrels to feed the cardinals
One challenge with feeding cardinals and other backyard birds are squirrels. Squirrels love bird seed and can quickly take over feeders. Here are some tips to deter squirrels:
- Use feeders with weight mechanisms that close access to heavier squirrels.
- Employ feeders with cages or protective coverings that allow birds in but keep squirrels out.
- Install feeder poles with squirrel baffles or smooth plastic guards.
- Set up a motion-activated sprinkler or water deterrent.
- Offer more food on the ground away from feeders to distract squirrels.
With a few deterrents, you can discourage squirrels from dominating feeders and leave more seed for the cardinals. This will encourage more frequent cardinal visits.
Offer fresh water for drinking and bathing
In addition to food, cardinals need a reliable water source. Providing fresh water will keep cardinals visiting your yard. Here are some tips:
- Birdbath: Provide a shallow birdbath, refreshed daily. Locate it near trees or bushes.
- Water feature: Dripping water features offer drinking and bathing opportunities.
- Fountain: Add a bubbler or fountain to water to prevent mosquitoes.
- Heated birdbath: Keep a birdbath ice-free in winter with a heater.
- Water dish: Use a ground-level dish for an easy spot to get water.
Cardinals will drink, bathe, and cool off in backyard water sources. This supplies them with water and allows you to observe their bright plumage up close.
Conclusion
Cardinals are a favorite backyard bird for birders across North America. These striking red birds will visit both feeders placed above the ground and food scattered on the ground itself. Offering a variety of shelled seeds, fruits, and nuts from multiple feeder styles will appeal to them. Cardinals are most active in the morning and evening. Providing fresh water from a birdbath or fountain will also help attract these colorful songbirds regularly to your yard.