Seeds: The Foundation of Their Diet
Few sights are as captivating as the flash of scarlet that heralds the arrival of a Northern Cardinal. These charismatic birds, with their distinctive crests and melodious songs, are a welcome sight in gardens and woodlands across eastern North America. While these vibrant creatures are known for their adaptability and opportunistic eating habits, certain food sources consistently rise to the top of their list of preferred sustenance. Understanding the dietary preferences of these birds can help you attract them to your yard, offering them a healthy and sustainable food supply while enjoying the visual and auditory delight they bring. This guide delves into the world of cardinal bird favorite food, unveiling the secrets to their palate and offering practical advice for supporting these beautiful birds.
Seeds are undeniably the cornerstone of a cardinal’s diet, particularly during the leaner months of the year when other food sources are scarce. These birds possess strong beaks perfectly adapted for cracking open seed shells, accessing the nutritious kernel within. Amongst the vast array of available seeds, a few stand out as clear favorites, reliably drawing cardinals to feeders and cultivated habitats.
Sunflower Seeds: A Cardinal’s Delight
Ask any bird enthusiast what the key to attracting cardinals is, and the answer will almost certainly include sunflower seeds. The high oil content of sunflower seeds provides a concentrated source of energy, vital for sustaining cardinals through cold winters and fueling their active lives. Black oil sunflower seeds are especially prized, as their thinner shells are easier for cardinals to crack open, allowing them to efficiently access the energy-rich food within.
Providing sunflower seeds in various forms can further enhance their appeal. Hopper feeders are an excellent choice, offering protection from the elements and allowing multiple birds to feed simultaneously. Platform feeders, offering a wide, open surface, also work well, giving cardinals ample space to perch and select their favorite seeds. Scattering sunflower seeds directly on the ground can also be effective, especially for less confident birds that may be hesitant to approach elevated feeders.
Safflower Seeds: A Squirrel-Resistant Solution
While cardinals eagerly devour sunflower seeds, the same cannot always be said for other seed-loving creatures, particularly squirrels. These furry foragers are notorious for raiding bird feeders, often depleting the food supply intended for avian visitors. Fortunately, there’s a solution: safflower seeds. Cardinals generally enjoy safflower seeds, while squirrels tend to avoid them, making safflower an excellent deterrent to unwanted feeder guests. This allows cardinals to feed in peace, enjoying a consistent and reliable source of nutrition.
Beyond Sunflower and Safflower
While sunflower and safflower seeds represent the gold standard of cardinal seed preferences, other seeds also hold value in their dietary repertoire. White proso millet, a small, round seed, is particularly attractive to cardinals during migration periods, offering a quick and accessible source of energy as they journey across vast distances. Cracked corn, another readily available seed, can be offered in moderation, particularly during the colder months when higher calorie intake is essential. However, it’s important to ensure the corn is free from mold or contaminants, as these can be harmful to birds. Nyjer seeds, also known as thistle seeds, are less favored by cardinals compared to sunflower and safflower, but they can still be included in a mixed seed blend to offer dietary variety.
Berries and Fruits: A Sweet Treat
While seeds form the backbone of their diet, cardinals also possess a sweet tooth, delighting in a variety of berries and fruits. These juicy treats offer a source of vitamins, minerals, and hydration, supplementing the energy-rich seeds and contributing to overall health.
Wild Berries: A Natural Delicacy
In their natural habitat, cardinals rely on a diverse array of wild berries to satisfy their fruity cravings. Dogwood berries, serviceberries, blackberries, and raspberries are among their favorites, providing essential nutrients and adding variety to their diet. These wild berries are particularly important for winter survival, offering a readily available food source when other options are scarce. Planting native berry-producing shrubs and trees in your garden can create a sustainable food source for cardinals, attracting them naturally and providing a vital habitat element.
Cultivated Fruits: Enhancing Your Garden
Beyond wild berries, cardinals also appreciate cultivated fruits, readily visiting gardens and orchards in search of a sweet snack. Crabapples and elderberries are particularly attractive to cardinals, their bright colors and abundant fruit offering an irresistible temptation. Planting these fruit-bearing trees and shrubs in your yard not only provides a delicious food source for cardinals but also enhances the beauty and biodiversity of your outdoor space.
Supplemental Fruit Offerings: A Helping Hand
To further enhance your offerings, you can also provide supplemental fruit directly, such as cut-up grapes or apple slices. Cardinals will readily consume these readily available treats, supplementing their natural diet and providing a welcome source of hydration, especially during dry periods. It is crucial to avoid offering any fruits that are known to be toxic to birds, such as avocado, ensuring the safety and well-being of your feathered visitors.
Insects and Other Protein Sources
While seeds and berries often dominate discussions about cardinal food, it’s essential to remember the crucial role of insects and other protein sources in their diet, particularly during the breeding season. Protein is the building block of life, vital for growth, development, and reproduction.
The Importance of Insects
Insects are especially important for nestlings and breeding females, providing the essential amino acids necessary for healthy growth and egg production. Female cardinals require a significant amount of protein to produce eggs, and insects are the most readily available and easily digestible source. Nestlings rely entirely on their parents for sustenance, and insects form the primary component of their diet, ensuring proper development and growth.
Common Insects Eaten
Cardinals are opportunistic insectivores, consuming a wide variety of insects that are readily available in their environment. Caterpillars, beetles, and grasshoppers are among their most commonly consumed insects, providing a valuable source of protein and essential nutrients.
Beyond Insects: Expanding the Protein Spectrum
While insects form the primary protein source, cardinals may also supplement their diet with other invertebrates, such as snails and small spiders. These creatures offer additional protein and essential nutrients, contributing to a well-rounded and balanced diet.
Providing Food for Cardinals in Your Yard
Attracting cardinals to your yard requires more than simply scattering a handful of seeds. It involves creating a welcoming and sustainable environment that caters to their dietary needs and provides essential habitat elements.
Choosing the Right Feeders
Selecting the appropriate feeders is crucial for effectively offering food to cardinals. Hopper feeders, with their enclosed design, offer protection from the elements and allow multiple birds to feed simultaneously. Platform feeders, providing a wide, open surface, are also well-suited for cardinals, allowing them ample space to perch and select their favorite seeds. Ground feeding, scattering seeds directly on the ground, can also be effective, particularly for less confident birds.
Creating a Cardinal-Friendly Habitat
Beyond feeders, creating a cardinal-friendly habitat involves planting native berry-producing shrubs and trees, providing dense cover for nesting and protection from predators, and ensuring a reliable source of clean water.
Water Sources: A Vital Resource
Providing a source of clean water is essential for attracting cardinals, both for drinking and bathing. Bird baths, shallow dishes filled with water, or even a gently dripping hose can provide a welcome oasis for these feathered friends.
Food Safety: Protecting Your Birds
Maintaining food safety is paramount when feeding birds. Cleaning feeders regularly to prevent the spread of disease, storing birdseed properly to avoid mold and pests, and avoiding the use of pesticides near feeding areas are all essential steps in protecting the health and well-being of your avian visitors.
Seasonal Variations in Diet
A cardinal’s diet is not static; it changes with the seasons, adapting to the availability of different food sources.
Spring and Summer: Focus on Protein
During the spring and summer months, when breeding and nesting are in full swing, cardinals prioritize protein-rich foods, such as insects.
Fall and Winter: Energy-Rich Foods
As fall approaches and winter descends, cardinals shift their focus to energy-rich seeds and berries, preparing for the challenges of the cold season. Sunflower and safflower seeds become especially important during this time, providing a concentrated source of calories to help them survive the harsh weather.
Conclusion
The cardinal bird favorite food primarily comprises seeds, berries, fruits, and insects, each playing a vital role in their health and well-being. Understanding these dietary preferences is key to attracting these beautiful birds to your yard and providing them with a sustainable food supply. By offering a diverse diet, creating a welcoming habitat, and practicing responsible feeding habits, you can support cardinal populations and enjoy the vibrant presence of these feathered friends in your garden for years to come. So, consider planting native berry bushes, setting up a sunflower seed feeder, and providing a clean source of water to support these vibrant birds. Your efforts will not only benefit the cardinals but also enrich your outdoor space, bringing the beauty and song of these remarkable creatures into your daily life.
