The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a favorite sight for many backyard bird enthusiasts, instantly recognized by the male’s brilliant crimson plumage. These songbirds are non-migratory, meaning they can be a year-round presence, adding color even to snowy landscapes. Attracting these visitors involves understanding their specific needs and sensory preferences. Optimizing your yard for cardinals starts with identifying the visual cues that guide them to food and safety. This guide provides insights to make your space more appealing to these vibrant birds.
The Primary Attracting Color
The most effective color for attracting Northern Cardinals is a highly saturated, true red. This color acts as a strong visual signal in their environment, potentially mimicking the male’s own vibrant plumage and the color of many natural food sources, such as berries. To utilize this color preference, selecting feeders that are explicitly red or feature substantial red components can be highly effective.
While the seed itself remains the primary draw, the color acts as a beacon, guiding the birds to the food source more quickly. Warm colors adjacent to red, such as bright orange or deep pink, may also capture their attention. Consider using red accents around the feeding station, like ceramic tiles or painted wood, to increase the target’s visibility. Additionally, planting shrubs that produce red berries, such as winterberry or hawthorn, near the feeding area provides both visual attraction and natural food sources.
Understanding Cardinal Vision
The cardinal’s strong attraction to red is rooted in its specialized visual system, which differs significantly from human sight. Unlike humans, who are trichromats with three types of cone cells, cardinals possess four types of cone cells in their eyes, classifying them as tetrachromats. This expanded visual capacity allows them to perceive wavelengths of light that are completely invisible to us, including parts of the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum.
The red color they see is a long-wavelength light signal, which stands out dramatically against the shorter, mid-wavelength greens of foliage. This high contrast is biologically important for foraging efficiency and communication. The bright red plumage of the male is a signal of health and fitness, easily recognized by a potential female using their advanced color perception.
Essential Elements Beyond Color
While color acts as an advertisement, sustained cardinal visitation depends on meeting their fundamental survival needs, primarily food, water, and shelter. The most effective food source for drawing in and keeping cardinals is black oil sunflower seed (BOSS). These seeds have a high-fat content, providing the energy necessary for non-migratory birds, and their shells are relatively thin, making them easy for the cardinal’s sturdy beak to crack.
Cardinals also readily consume safflower seeds, which are a favorite of theirs and are often avoided by nuisance birds like starlings. Presenting seeds in a tray, platform, or hopper feeder is preferable, as cardinals are larger birds and prefer a stable landing area rather than a narrow perch. Ensuring the food source is consistent and easily accessible is paramount to establishing a regular feeding pattern.
Providing a reliable source of fresh, clean water is equally important, especially during winter months when natural sources may freeze. A simple bird bath, ideally one with a depth of two to three inches at the deepest point, will attract cardinals for both drinking and bathing. A heated birdbath during cold periods can make the yard an essential resource.
Finally, cardinals are shy, ground-feeding birds that require nearby shelter to feel secure. They are less likely to visit an open feeder if dense shrubs, thick brush piles, or evergreen trees are not within a short flight distance. This cover offers immediate protection from predators and provides a safe roosting site.