The Northern Cardinal, with its brilliant red plumage (in males, of course) and melodic song, is a beloved visitor to backyards across North America. These charismatic birds bring a splash of color and a sense of joy to any outdoor space. Attracting cardinals to your garden can be incredibly rewarding, providing hours of entertainment and a closer connection to nature. So, the question often arises: what exactly are the favorite foods of these feathered friends? What culinary delights will entice them to frequent your feeders and make your backyard their go-to dining spot?
This guide will explore the delicious world of cardinal cuisine, providing a comprehensive overview of their preferred food choices, offering practical tips for attracting these magnificent birds to your yard, and answering common questions related to cardinal feeding. Want to turn your backyard into a cardinal’s paradise? Let’s explore the foods that will have these beautiful birds flocking to your feeders!
Seeds: The Cardinal Staple
Seeds form the foundation of a cardinal’s diet. While these birds enjoy a diverse range of foods, seeds offer essential nutrients and energy, particularly during the colder months when other food sources are scarce. Understanding which seeds cardinals prefer is key to attracting them effectively.
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (The Top Choice)
Black oil sunflower seeds reign supreme in the cardinal’s world. These small, black seeds are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with healthy fats and oils that provide cardinals with a much-needed energy boost. The relatively thin shells of black oil sunflower seeds make them easy for cardinals to crack open with their strong beaks. This ease of access is a significant advantage, especially for younger or less experienced birds. Black oil sunflower seeds are readily available at most bird supply stores and garden centers. They can be offered in various types of feeders, including tube feeders designed for smaller seeds, platform feeders that accommodate larger birds, or even simply scattered on the ground. Providing a consistent supply of black oil sunflower seeds is a sure-fire way to attract cardinals to your yard and keep them coming back for more.
Safflower Seeds
Safflower seeds are another excellent choice for attracting cardinals. These white, slightly bitter seeds offer a similar nutritional profile to sunflower seeds, providing cardinals with a good source of fat and protein. One of the biggest advantages of safflower seeds is their tendency to be avoided by squirrels. These furry bandits often raid bird feeders, consuming all the seeds and deterring birds. Because squirrels generally dislike safflower seeds, they are an ideal option for bird enthusiasts looking to provide a dedicated food source solely for cardinals and other desirable bird species. Offering safflower seeds in a separate feeder, or mixing them with sunflower seeds, can help ensure that cardinals have access to a consistent and squirrel-free food supply.
White Stripe Sunflower Seeds
While not as popular as black oil sunflower seeds, white stripe sunflower seeds can also attract cardinals. These seeds are bigger in size but still offer good nutrition. Providing a mix of seed types can appeal to a wider variety of birds, making your yard a bustling hub of avian activity.
Nuts: A Nutritious Treat
Beyond seeds, nuts provide cardinals with a concentrated source of energy and protein, making them a valuable addition to their diet. Offering nuts can diversify the food available in your backyard and attract cardinals seeking a more substantial meal.
Peanuts (Shelled or Hulled)
Peanuts, either shelled or hulled, are a favorite among cardinals. Their high protein and fat content makes them an ideal energy source, particularly during breeding season or the colder months when birds need to maintain their body temperature. Shelled peanuts are easier for cardinals to consume, but hulled peanuts offer the added benefit of requiring birds to work a bit harder for their food, providing valuable exercise. Peanuts can be offered in specialized mesh feeders designed for nuts, or they can be scattered on platform feeders alongside seeds. Ensure the peanuts are unsalted and free from any additives or artificial flavorings. Providing high-quality, natural peanuts will keep cardinals happy and healthy. Roasting the peanuts can improve their flavor, but ensuring they remain unsalted is critical to the birds’ health.
Other Nuts
Other nuts can also be a welcome addition to the cardinal’s diet. Cracked walnuts, pecans, and other tree nuts can provide a valuable source of nutrients and variety. Offering a mix of nut types can allow cardinals to sample different flavors and textures, helping you to determine their preferred choices. Experiment with different nut options to see what the cardinals in your area find most appealing. Remember to offer nuts in small pieces to make them easier for cardinals to handle.
Berries and Fruits: Natural Sweetness
Berries and fruits offer cardinals a sweet and juicy alternative to seeds and nuts, providing a source of vitamins and antioxidants. While not as critical to their survival as seeds, berries and fruits can be a welcome treat, particularly during the summer months when they are readily available in the wild.
Wild Berries
Wild berries are a natural and nutritious food source for cardinals. Serviceberries, dogwood berries, and other native berry-producing plants provide cardinals with a valuable source of vitamins and antioxidants. Planting native berry bushes and trees in your yard is an excellent way to attract cardinals and support local ecosystems. Native plants provide a natural food source for cardinals and other wildlife, creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly habitat.
Cultivated Fruits
In addition to wild berries, cardinals will also consume cultivated fruits. Chopped apples, berries, and other fruits can be offered on platform feeders, especially during the colder months when natural food sources are scarce. Cut the fruit into small, manageable pieces to make it easier for cardinals to consume. Fresh fruits provide cardinals with essential vitamins and minerals, helping them to stay healthy and strong.
Insects: Protein Power (Especially During Breeding Season)
While often overlooked, insects play a crucial role in the cardinal’s diet, particularly during the breeding season. Insects provide a rich source of protein, which is essential for the growth and development of young birds.
Importance of Insects for Nestlings
Insects are particularly important for feeding nestlings. Cardinal parents rely heavily on insects to nourish their young, providing them with the protein they need to grow and develop. Caterpillars, beetles, and other insects are all valuable food sources for baby cardinals.
Attracting Insects to Your Yard
Attracting insects to your yard is an excellent way to support cardinals and other insect-eating birds. Planting native plants is a great way to provide habitat for insects, creating a thriving ecosystem in your backyard. Native plants attract a variety of insects, providing cardinals with a natural and sustainable food source. Avoiding pesticide use is also crucial, as pesticides can harm or kill insects, reducing the food available to cardinals and other birds.
Other Foods to Consider
Cardinals aren’t picky eaters, and offering some other foods can give them the energy and nutrients that they need.
Suet
Suet is a high-energy food source that can be particularly valuable during the winter months when natural food sources are scarce. Suet is made from rendered animal fat and is often mixed with seeds, nuts, and dried fruits. It provides cardinals with a concentrated source of energy, helping them to maintain their body temperature during cold weather.
Mealworms
Mealworms are a protein-rich treat that can be offered to cardinals, especially during the breeding season. Mealworms are the larvae of darkling beetles and are readily available at most pet supply stores. They can be offered live or dried, providing cardinals with a valuable source of protein.
How to Attract Cardinals to Your Yard
Attracting cardinals to your yard is a rewarding experience. Here are some tips:
Provide a Variety of Foods
Providing a variety of foods will attract more cardinals. Offer a mix of seeds, nuts, and berries to cater to their preferences. Having a buffet of different types of feed will bring in the largest flock.
Offer Food Year-Round
Offering food year-round will bring the birds to your garden all year long. Cardinals need to eat no matter the season, and a consistant food source will entice them to stay in your yard.
Provide Water
Providing water is also a must. A birdbath or shallow dish of water is essential for cardinals, especially during hot weather. Cardinals use water for drinking and bathing, helping them to stay hydrated and clean.
Offer Shelter and Nesting Sites
Offer shelter and nesting sites for the birds to use. Plant dense shrubs and trees for cover and nesting. Cardinals prefer to nest in dense vegetation, providing them with protection from predators. Do not prune trees and shrubs during breeding season to protect nests.
Important Considerations
Maintaining the health of your visiting birds is critical.
Feeder Hygiene
Feeder hygiene is extremely important. Regularly clean feeders to prevent the spread of disease. Dirty feeders can harbor bacteria and fungi, which can harm cardinals and other birds.
Avoid Harmful Foods
Avoid harmful foods when feeding birds. Chocolate, avocado, and salt are all toxic to birds and should never be offered.
Be Patient
Being patient is key. It may take time for cardinals to discover your feeders.
Conclusion
Cardinals have a wide range of foods that they love to eat, from sunflower seeds to delicious berries.
By providing the right foods and a suitable habitat, you can enjoy the beauty and song of cardinals year-round. So, stock up on black oil sunflower seeds, plant some native berry bushes, and get ready to welcome these vibrant birds into your yard! Attracting cardinals to your backyard is a simple yet rewarding way to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty of the avian world. By understanding their dietary preferences and providing them with the food and shelter they need, you can create a haven for cardinals and enjoy their presence for years to come.
