Birdwatching can be a serene and rewarding pastime, especially when vibrant cardinals grace your garden. Their striking red feathers and melodic songs can brighten any day.
But how do you entice these beauties to your feeders? Here are ten surefire ways to make your backyard the go-to spot for cardinals.
1. Offer Their Favorite Foods
Cardinals are quite particular about their diet. They love sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and peanuts. Black-oil sunflower seeds are particularly favored due to their high fat content, which is essential for energy. Consider filling your feeders with a mix of these seeds to keep cardinals coming back for more.
Mixing these seeds with millet and cracked corn can also attract cardinals. Also, try to avoid using mixes that contain a lot of filler seeds, like red millet, as cardinals tend to ignore them.
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2. Use the Right Feeders
Cardinals have medium-sized bills and prefer feeders that are easy to perch on. Tube feeders with large perches or hopper feeders with wide ledges are ideal. Platform feeders also work well, especially if you scatter seeds directly on them.
Avoid using small, narrow feeders, as cardinals might struggle to access the seeds. Additionally, placing feeders in sheltered spots can provide cardinals with a sense of security, encouraging them to visit more frequently.
3. Place Feeders Near Cover
Cardinals are shy birds that prefer to stay close to cover, such as shrubs and trees. Position your feeders near dense foliage to give them a sense of safety. This cover not only provides protection from predators but also offers nesting sites and a natural habitat.
By placing feeders near evergreens or thick bushes, you create a more inviting environment for cardinals. They feel more secure venturing out to feed when they know there’s a quick escape route back to safety.
4. Provide Fresh Water
Birds need water for drinking and bathing, and cardinals are no exception. A birdbath or a small water feature can be a magnet for these birds. Ensure the water is fresh and clean, and if possible, add a dripper or mister to create a moving water effect that birds find irresistible.
In winter, consider using a heated birdbath to provide a reliable water source. This can be a crucial attractant during colder months when natural water sources may be frozen.
5. Create a Cardinal-Friendly Habitat
Planting native trees and shrubs can make your garden more appealing to cardinals. They are attracted to dense, thorny shrubs such as dogwood, mulberry, and serviceberry, which offer both shelter and food.
Creating layers of vegetation with a mix of tall trees, mid-sized shrubs, and low ground cover mimics the cardinals’ natural habitat. This diverse landscape provides them with ample nesting sites and protection.
6. Keep Feeders Clean & Maintained
Regularly clean your feeders to prevent the spread of diseases. Moldy or spoiled food can deter cardinals and other birds from visiting. A simple solution of one part bleach to nine parts water can be used to disinfect feeders. Rinse thoroughly and allow them to dry completely before refilling.
Maintenance also includes checking for and repairing any damage to feeders. A well-maintained feeder ensures a consistent supply of food and an inviting place for cardinals to feed.
7. Offer Seasonal Foods
Cardinals enjoy a variety of foods, and offering seasonal treats can make your feeders even more attractive. During the winter, try providing suet, which is a high-energy food that helps birds stay warm. In the summer, consider offering fresh fruit like apple slices, berries, and grapes.
Seasonal foods can cater to the cardinals’ varying dietary needs throughout the year. By rotating your offerings, you can keep them interested and ensure they have a well-rounded diet.
8. Minimize Disturbances
Cardinals are sensitive to disturbances, so it’s essential to keep their feeding area as peaceful as possible. Avoid placing feeders near high-traffic areas, noisy machinery, or where pets frequently roam. A quiet, tranquil setting will make cardinals feel safe and encourage them to visit more often.
Limiting human activity near the feeders also helps create a calm environment. Observing from a distance allows cardinals to feed without feeling threatened, making them more likely to become regular visitors.
9. Provide Nesting Materials
Helping cardinals build their nests can also attract them to your yard. Offer natural nesting materials such as twigs, pine needles, grass clippings, and even pet fur. You can place these materials in a suet feeder or a mesh bag hung in a tree.
Providing nesting materials not only encourages cardinals to visit but also supports their breeding efforts. A yard that offers food, water, and nesting supplies is a complete habitat that can sustain cardinals year-round.
10. Be Patient & Consistent
Attracting cardinals requires patience. It may take some time for them to discover your feeders and become regular visitors. Consistency is key – keep feeders filled and maintain a reliable food source.
Remember, once cardinals find a dependable feeding spot, they are likely to return regularly. By providing a welcoming environment and a steady food supply, you’ll soon enjoy the sight of these magnificent birds gracing your garden.
Transforming your backyard into a cardinal haven requires more than just filling a feeder. With patience and care, you’ll soon enjoy the vibrant colors and melodic songs of cardinals, adding a touch of natural beauty and serenity to your outdoor space. Embrace the process, and let the presence of these charming birds bring joy and tranquility to your daily life.
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.