To attract cardinals, focus primarily on offering their preferred food sources and creating a welcoming, safe habitat in your yard. These vibrant birds are drawn to specific types of seeds and natural fruits.
Offer Their Favorite Foods
Cardinals are particularly drawn to specific types of seeds and natural fruits. By strategically placing these in your yard, you can significantly increase your chances of attracting them.
Preferred Bird Seeds
Stocking your feeders with the right seeds is crucial. Cardinals have strong beaks suited for cracking larger seeds.
Here's a list of bird seeds known to attract cardinals:
| Seed Type | Description & Benefits |
|---|---|
| Black Oil Sunflower | A top choice, rich in fat and nutrients, with thin shells |
| Cracked Corn | A popular, energy-rich option, especially good for ground feeding |
| Suet | Provides essential fats and calories, particularly in colder months |
| Nyjer® seed | While often associated with finches, cardinals may also visit |
| Mealworms | A high-protein treat, especially during nesting season |
| Peanuts | A valuable source of protein and fat, best offered shelled |
| Safflower | Often less appealing to squirrels and undesirable bird species |
| Striped Sunflower | Larger and harder shells than black oil sunflower, but still favored |
| Sunflower Hearts & Chips | No shell, which means less mess around your feeders |
Consider using sturdy feeders like hopper feeders or platform feeders, which accommodate their size and allow easy access to the seeds. For insights on choosing the best feeders, visit resources like the National Audubon Society's guide to bird feeders.
Natural Fruit Sources
Planting native shrubs and trees that bear fruit can be highly effective, providing both food and natural shelter for cardinals.
- Blueberry bushes: These provide sweet, dark berries that cardinals love.
- Mulberry trees: Known for their prolific, dark fruits, mulberries are a strong attractant.
- Other dark-colored berries: A variety of native plants producing dark berries, such as serviceberry or elderberry, will also draw cardinals to your garden.
These natural food sources not only provide sustenance but also offer crucial cover, making your yard a more secure environment for these birds.
Create a Welcoming Habitat
While food is the primary draw, a safe and comfortable environment encourages cardinals to stay and become regular visitors.
- Water Source: Provide a source of fresh, clean water, such as a bird bath. Cardinals need water for drinking and bathing, especially during dry periods.
- Shelter: Plant dense shrubs or evergreen trees. These offer essential protection from predators and harsh weather elements, providing ideal nesting and roosting spots. Learn more about creating a bird-friendly yard from the Wild Bird Feeding Industry.
- Quiet Location: Place feeders and water sources in relatively quiet areas of your yard, away from heavy human or pet traffic. Cardinals prefer a sense of security while they feed.
By combining a diverse offering of their favorite foods with a safe and inviting habitat, you can successfully attract these striking birds to your outdoor space.
