The Northern Cardinal, with its bright red feathers and distinctive crest, is a favorite among bird watchers. Attracting these vibrant birds to your yard can be rewarding, as cardinals not only add beauty but also fill the air with their cheerful songs.
If you want to create a cardinal-friendly yard, follow these steps to provide the food, shelter, and safe environment they need.
1. Provide Cardinal-Friendly Food
Cardinals are not picky eaters, but they do have specific preferences that can help you attract them to your yard.
Offer Seeds and Nuts: Cardinals love seeds, particularly sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and cracked corn. These seeds are nutritious and easy for cardinals to eat with their strong beaks. You can find cardinal-specific seed mixes at most bird supply stores or make your own mix.
Use Cardinal-Specific Feeders: Because cardinals are medium-sized birds, they need feeders that can support their weight and provide easy access to food. Platform feeders, which have an open design, are ideal because they give cardinals plenty of space to perch. Hopper feeders with wide ledges are also great options for attracting cardinals.
Supplement with Fresh Fruit: Cardinals enjoy fresh fruit like apple slices, grapes, and berries. You can place small amounts of fruit directly on a platform feeder or scatter them on the ground. This variety not only provides additional nutrients but also mimics the fruits they eat in the wild.
2. Create a Water Source
Water is essential for attracting cardinals, especially during hot summer months when natural water sources may be scarce.
Birdbaths: Cardinals prefer shallow water for drinking and bathing, so choose a birdbath with a depth of 1–2 inches. Place the birdbath near dense shrubs or trees, which will offer the birds a quick escape route from predators.
Moving Water Features: Cardinals are particularly drawn to the sound and movement of water. Add a fountain, dripper, or water wiggler to your birdbath to keep the water fresh and attract attention. Moving water reduces algae growth and makes it easier for cardinals to find the birdbath.
3. Plant Cardinal-Friendly Vegetation
The right plants can create a welcoming environment for cardinals, offering them food, shelter, and nesting spots.
Native Plants and Shrubs: Plant native trees and shrubs that provide berries, seeds, and insects. Dogwood, sumac, and serviceberry are excellent choices that produce fruits cardinals love. These plants also offer natural shelter and nesting spots, making your yard more attractive to cardinals.
Dense Shrubs and Thickets: Cardinals prefer thick vegetation where they can hide from predators and build nests. Consider planting dense shrubs like holly, juniper, or privet to give them the cover they need. By creating a thicket of layered plants, you’ll provide cardinals with a safe and appealing environment.
Flowering Plants with Seeds: Sunflowers, coneflowers, and other flowering plants are great for providing seeds that cardinals enjoy. These plants not only attract cardinals but also add beauty to your garden.
4. Provide Suitable Shelter and Nesting Spots
Cardinals need shelter from predators and the elements, as well as secure nesting spots.
Dense, Low Trees and Bushes: Cardinals typically build their nests in low, dense shrubs or trees where they feel protected. Evergreens like pine or cedar are perfect for this, as they provide year-round cover. If you already have trees or bushes in your yard, try to place food sources and birdbaths near them to make the area more inviting.
Birdhouses for Cardinals: While cardinals rarely use enclosed birdhouses, they do appreciate open-sided nest boxes or hanging baskets that offer some shelter. You can place these in dense vegetation to encourage cardinals to nest.
Seasonal Shelter Needs: Cardinals are non-migratory, which means they’ll need shelter year-round. Maintain and trim shrubs to ensure they stay thick and provide ample cover. In winter, evergreens are especially valuable as they provide warmth and protection from the cold.
5. Create a Safe Environment
A safe environment is crucial to attracting and retaining cardinals, as they will avoid areas where they feel threatened.
Predator Control: Cardinals are preyed upon by cats, hawks, and other animals. To protect them, keep cats indoors and position feeders and birdbaths in areas that allow quick access to shelter. Place these items near bushes or trees to give the birds a fast escape route.
Prevent Window Collisions: Window collisions are a major hazard for cardinals and other birds. Make windows more visible by adding decals, hanging strips, or using non-reflective window film. This helps reduce reflections and makes it less likely for cardinals to accidentally fly into them.
Provide Year-Round Food and Shelter: Since cardinals stay in one place year-round, they need reliable access to food and shelter. By maintaining feeders, birdbaths, and dense shrubs, you’ll create an environment where cardinals feel safe and comfortable all year long.
6. Use Cardinal-Friendly Landscaping Practices
Landscaping can make a big difference in attracting and keeping cardinals in your yard.
Avoid Pesticides: Pesticides can harm cardinals and reduce the availability of insects they feed on. Instead, consider organic gardening methods or use natural pest control techniques. By creating a pesticide-free yard, you’ll make it safer for cardinals and other wildlife.
Create a Layered Landscape: A layered landscape that includes ground cover, shrubs, and trees provides cardinals with a variety of food sources, foraging areas, and shelter options. Try to plant a mix of different heights and types of vegetation to give cardinals more places to explore.
Include Mulched Areas: Cardinals forage for insects in mulched areas and leaf litter. Adding a few mulched areas around your yard gives cardinals a natural source of insects to supplement their diet. Just be sure to use natural, chemical-free mulch to keep it safe for the birds.
7. Attract with Sounds
Cardinals are responsive to sounds in their environment, and you can use this to your advantage.
Use Recorded Cardinal Calls: Playing recorded cardinal songs can attract cardinals to your yard, especially during breeding season when they are more responsive to calls. You can find recordings online or through bird-watching apps.
Wind Chimes and Water Sounds: Natural sounds, such as wind chimes or the sound of trickling water from a fountain, can create a soothing environment that attracts cardinals. These sounds mimic elements of their natural habitat and make your yard feel more inviting.
8. Maintain Consistency and Patience
Attracting cardinals takes time and consistency, but the effort is well worth it.
Regular Feeding Schedule: Cardinals are creatures of habit and appreciate a consistent feeding schedule. By replenishing food and water at the same time each day, you encourage cardinals to make your yard part of their daily routine.
Be Patient and Observant: It may take some time for cardinals to discover your yard, especially if they are unfamiliar with the area. Be patient, observe their behavior, and make adjustments as needed to create the most inviting environment possible.
Conclusion
By providing the right food, water, shelter, and safe environment, you can create a cardinal-friendly yard that attracts these beautiful birds year-round. Cardinals will reward your efforts with their striking colors, melodious songs, and active presence. With a little planning and patience, you can enjoy the beauty of cardinals visiting your yard season after season.