Tips for Attracting Cardinals to Your Outdoor Area

The northern cardinal is a very common bird found in most eastern and central states, the entire south, and much of the southwestern United States. They can be found in yards, gardens, forests, and even deserts and have greatly increased their breeding range in the last 80 years. The northern cardinal does not migrate in the winter, therefore providing shelter, adequate food, and fresh water will entice them to visit your garden with enthusiasm and will continue to do so throughout the year.

Northern cardinals prefer dense shrub areas such as forest edges, overgrown fields, hedges, backyards, swampy scrub, mesquite, and ornamental landscaping. Cardinals nest in dense foliage at heights ranging from 3 to 12 feet above the ground in many types of trees and shrubs. You will find them nesting in dogwoods, honeysuckle vines, grape vines, red cedars, firs, rose bushes, blackberry brambles, elms, sugar maples, and elderberries. They do not nest in birdhouses or nest boxes.

The diet of these beautiful red birds consists mainly of seeds and fruits for the adults and the chicks feed mainly on insects. Cardinals eat many types of birdseed. The strong, thick bill of the Northern Cardinal is perfect for large seeds. Black sunflower seeds, striped sunflower seeds, and safflower seeds are three of her favorites. Other foods that cardinals prefer include cracked corn, peanut chunks, fresh berries, apple chunks, and small chunks of tallow. Offering a mix of these in wide feeders with room for them to perch will attract them to your patio or garden. Do not use small tube feeders unless they have a large tray at the bottom. Platform feeders and aerial feeders are also a good option. Since cardinals feed on the ground, the food source you supply should be kept at ground level or below about 5 feet. Pole-mounted outdoor cedar bird feeders are a great option. It is also important to note that due to its bright color, it is safest for the Northern Cardinal to feed very early in the morning or very late at night. They will often be the first to feed in the morning and the last bird at their feeder at night.

Cardinals, like all animals, need fresh water. Provide water in a birdbath a few feet from the feeder. Clean the birdbath at least once a week and add fresh water to keep it attractive to birds.