The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a non-migratory songbird, present year-round in many backyards across North America. The male’s brilliant red plumage provides a welcome splash of color, especially in winter. Attracting these birds requires specific knowledge of their physical needs and dietary preferences. Understanding feeder designs, seed types, and placement strategies ensures successful and consistent visits.
Understanding Cardinal Feeding Habits
The Northern Cardinal is a mid-sized songbird, measuring between eight and nine inches long with an average weight of 1.5 ounces. This larger size influences the kind of feeder they find comfortable. Unlike smaller, agile birds that can cling to thin wires, cardinals require a stable surface for feeding.
Cardinals possess a thick, cone-shaped bill adapted for crushing the shells of large, hard seeds. This strong bill allows them to access high-energy nutrients found inside seeds that many other songbirds cannot manage. They are naturally ground foragers, often seeking food while hopping on the ground or in low, dense shrubbery. This behavior explains their preference for feeders that mimic a stable, flat surface.
Feeder Designs Cardinals Prefer
Feeder design is important in attracting cardinals, as they need a stable, broad area to perch comfortably. Platform feeders, which are flat trays with drainage holes, are favored because they accommodate the cardinal’s size and ground-foraging habit. These open designs allow the bird to stand directly in the seed.
Large hopper feeders are also suitable, provided they include a wide, stable tray or ledge at the base for perching. The bird’s broad chest requires more space than is offered by feeders designed for smaller birds. Tube feeders are generally less appealing because their standard small perches force the cardinal to feed sideways, an uncomfortable position. If a tube feeder is used, it should have extended, sturdy perches or specific “cardinal rings” to allow the bird to face the seed port directly.
Best Seed Choices to Attract Cardinals
The cardinal’s strong bill makes high-fat, high-energy seeds its preferred diet. Black oil sunflower seeds (BOSS) are the most effective attractant because they are rich in oil and have a thin shell that is easy for the cardinal to crack. These seeds offer maximum caloric reward for the effort expended in hulling.
Safflower seeds are an excellent choice, providing a nutritional profile cardinals enjoy, while also acting as a natural deterrent to squirrels, starlings, and house sparrows. Their hard, bitter shell is easily managed by cardinals, yet unappealing to many common feeder pests. Supplementing the main seed with cracked corn or crushed peanuts provides variety and additional fat, though these are best offered sparingly. Birdseed mixes containing filler grains like millet or milo are often wasted, as cardinals toss them aside to reach preferred sunflower or safflower seeds.
Strategic Feeder Placement
The placement of a feeder should balance visibility with the cardinal’s need for security from predators. Feeders should be positioned near natural cover, such as dense shrubs or evergreen trees, to provide a quick escape route. A distance of about ten feet from this cover is recommended, as this is far enough to prevent a lurking cat or hawk from ambushing the birds.
An optimal height for the feeder is between three and five feet off the ground, which aligns with their preference for low-level foraging. Cardinals feed during the early morning and late evening hours, making a safe and accessible location even more important. Providing a shallow water source nearby, such as a bird bath, offers the birds a location for both drinking and bathing, further enhancing the appeal of the feeding area.