The Northern Cardinal is one of the most recognizable and cherished backyard birds across North America, known for the brilliant red plumage of the male and the melodious song of both sexes. Attracting these striking birds involves more than just setting up a feeder; it requires cultivating a welcoming environment. By strategically choosing specific flowers and plants, homeowners can provide natural food sources and habitat structure that encourage cardinals to visit and stay.
Understanding Cardinal Dietary Needs
Cardinals possess a thick, cone-shaped bill, perfectly adapted for crushing large, tough seeds. Their diet primarily consists of grains, seeds, and fruits, which they forage for both on the ground and directly from plants. This specialized anatomy means they are highly attracted to plants that produce substantial, hard-cased seeds rather than small, fine grains.
Cardinals are granivores and do not feed on nectar, unlike hummingbirds or butterflies. While they will occasionally consume flower buds or soft fruits, the main draw of a flowering plant is the mature seed head that develops later in the season.
During the late spring and summer breeding season, the dietary focus shifts significantly to protein for the young. Nesting parents rely heavily on insects, spiders, and other arthropods to feed their rapidly growing nestlings. Therefore, a garden that supports a diverse insect population is also highly beneficial. The plants selected not only provide seeds but also serve as host sites for the juvenile protein source, effectively supporting the cardinal’s full life cycle.
Recommended Seed-Producing Plants
The single most effective plant for attracting cardinals is the sunflower, especially the varieties producing black oil sunflower seeds. These seeds have a high oil content and a relatively thin shell, making them highly desirable and easy for the cardinal’s powerful bill to open. Giant varieties like ‘Mammoth’ or smaller ornamental types are both effective, provided the seed heads are allowed to fully mature and dry on the stalk. Sunflowers are tall, annual plants that provide vertical interest and a robust natural feeding station when left standing through autumn and winter.
Coneflowers (Echinacea species) offer dense, nutritious seed heads that become a favorite feeding spot for cardinals once the petals have dropped. These hardy perennials feature distinctive, dome-shaped centers. Allowing these cones to dry completely in place ensures the seeds are available when natural winter food supplies begin to dwindle. The stiff stems hold the heavy seed heads well above the snow line, providing elevated access.
Zinnias are popular annual flowers that also produce seeds highly favored by cardinals. These plants are known for their bright, multi-colored blooms and easy growth in sunny locations. To maximize the seed yield, gardeners should avoid deadheading the flowers late in the season, instead leaving the drying blooms to provide a natural, elevated feeding platform for the birds.
While true thistle (Cirsium) can be invasive, plants like cultivated safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) yield seeds that are readily consumed by cardinals. Safflower is particularly valued because its bitter taste is often avoided by squirrels and nuisance birds, reserving the seeds primarily for the cardinals. These plants grow upright, producing spiky heads that protect the seeds until the birds are ready to access them late in the season.
Other grain-producing options include various millets and sorghums, which are often incorporated into commercial wildlife seed mixes. These tall, grass-like plants produce large clusters of seeds at the top of the stalk, providing a sustained food source throughout the colder months. The fundamental action required for all these plants is resisting the urge to tidy the garden prematurely and leaving the mature, dried seed heads standing until late winter.
Providing Shelter and Water Sources
Attracting cardinals long-term requires creating a secure and comfortable habitat in addition to providing food. Cardinals are shy birds that prefer to feed near dense cover, which offers immediate protection from predators and harsh weather. They rarely feed far from a safe retreat, making nearby cover an important factor in their decision to stay.
Planting dense, multi-branched shrubs and evergreen trees, such as arborvitae, cedar, or thick holly bushes, provides the necessary shelter. These plants offer prime nesting sites and roosting spots where cardinals can safely spend the night or hide during a sudden storm. Leaving brush piles or dense, unmanaged thickets also mimics their preferred natural environment and provides important, low-level cover.
A reliable, clean water source is equally important, as cardinals require daily access for drinking and bathing. They prefer ground-level or low-profile birdbaths, which mimic natural puddles or shallow pools. Placing the water source near the dense cover ensures the birds feel secure enough to utilize it regularly throughout the year.