Are you thinking of dedicating your next few birding sessions to cardinals? Just make sure you don’t accidentally drive them away with common cardinal bird feeding mistakes!

With their brilliant plumage and iconic song, it’s small wonder why so many birders want to attract cardinals to their yards. However, these birds have some unique needs that don’t always cross over with what other songbirds want.

By the end of this list, you’ll be equipped with all the knowledge you need to make your backyard irresistible to various cardinal species. I’ll also recommend some products if you’re thinking of switching up your station.

Use the Right Type of Feeder To Support Their Size

Thinking of reusing your sock feeders to bring cardinals to your backyard? Think again – these birds are a little larger than a sparrow or a warbler, so they need a specialized feeder to match.

The Northern Cardinal, for example, often ranges between 33 to 45 grams. However, larger individuals can hit as high as 65 grams, particularly when stocking up on their winter calories.

The desert cardinal is a little smaller, but can still clock in at 43 grams. When you consider that cardinals often like to feed in groups when it gets cold, you can’t rely on a lightweight feeder.

Platform Feeders Are the Go-To Option for Cardinals

Also known as tray feeders, platform feeders are popular among cardinal fans since they easily support the weight of larger birds. Styled like a large tray, they give your feathered visitors plenty of room to forage without bumping into other birds.

Hopper Feeders Are Often Sturdy Enough for Medium-Sized Birds

Do you live in a rainy area or want to keep leaves out of your birdseed? Hopper feeders are styled like a little house to give your hard-earned purchase more protection from the elements.

Cardinals will also appreciate the hopper feeder for feeling a little safer – this is a nice feature if your backyard or front yard doesn’t have many trees around. They’re very fond of cover, an element I’ll explore further below.

Stay Stocked up on Their Favorite Kinds of Food

Cardinals are closely related to finches, sharing a thick beak well-suited to cracking open seeds. However, they have a rather diverse diet and even enjoy some foods humans often eat.

Cardinals Love Black Oil Sunflower Seeds for Building up Fat

Why are black oil sunflower seeds such a popular addition for so many birds? They’re not only tasty, they have a high fat count that helps birds stay warm and energetic in the winter months.

Cardinals are no different, so make this seed one of your staple options. You don’t need to crack them open yourselves – their tough beaks are more than up to the task.

Just be mindful that they’ll leave a pretty big mess once they’re done!

These Charming Songbirds Often Eat Fresh, Ripe Berries

Cardinals, much like humans, like to shake up their meals from time to time. These beautiful birds will often eat fresh, ripe berries during the spring and summer months.

Berries not only have a high amount of antioxidants and vitamins, they also offer a little hydration. Just don’t place them out during the summer since they’ll spoil quickly – cooler weather like spring and fall will keep them fresher longer.

They’re particularly fond of blueberries and mulberries. If you want to go the extra mile to attract them, you can always plant a few of these bushes in your backyard.

Cardinals Enjoy a Little Peanut Butter, Oats, and Corn on the Side

One of the most enjoyable aspects of feeding cardinals is seeing how much they love popular foods humans eat. They’re big fans of delicious foods like whole oats, corn kernels, and even peanut butter!

Make sure to choose sugar-free peanut butter (many brands fill their jars with harmful high fructose corn syrup, which isn’t healthy for people or birds). Ensure your whole oats are free from moisture, too, to slow down spoilage.

You don’t need to cook corn, either. Cardinals have no trouble cracking corn open with their tough beaks.

Switch to Suet in the Winter To Keep Them Warm and Happy

Once it gets cold, wild birds will be on the hunt for the most fatty foods to stay warm. A suet feeder gives cardinals easy access to chunks of fat for months on end, but you need the right feeder.

Suet feeders are designed with wire or mesh to keep squirrels away. However, birds will have no trouble latching on and dipping their beaks in for a few bites.

A Regular Source of Water Will Help Immensely, Especially in Summer

If you’ve been debating whether or not to get a bird bath, take this as your sign! Your cardinals will be extra happy if you help them stay cool during the summer months.

Birds need regular hydration and baths to keep them from overheating in the sweltering heat. Considering cardinals are a little larger than many songbirds, they’ll need a larger bird bath to match.

Place Your Feeder Somewhere Forested or Shrubby for Protection

Cardinals feel much safer surrounded by trees and shrubbery. While they’re bold birds, they still need to duck for cover when predators are nearby.

A common mistake birders make when trying to attract cardinals is putting their feeder…well, anywhere! Simply sticking it in the middle of your backyard or in front of your house won’t entice them.

Try placing your feeder beneath a tree or next to a dense, shrubby area. If you don’t have many trees or shrubs, consider planting a few nearby – you’ll be amazed by how many more wild birds come to visit!

Consider Creating Nesting Sites To Keep Cardinal Activity Active Year-Round

If you’re eager to see cardinals as often as possible, step things up by establishing nesting sites. Instead of going for a nest box, they prefer a dense and forested area to set up their nests.

Does that mean you have no work to do if you have an overgrown backyard? Far from it – you also need to make sure your nesting site has plenty of items for cardinals to use.

Some of their favorite ingredients for nest building include (but aren’t limited to):

• Twigs
• Pine needles
• Grass
• Leaves
• Bark

Keep reading

• 5 Cardinal Bird Feeding Mistakes Everyone Makes (and How to Avoid Them)
• 13 Ways to Attract Cardinals Without Spending a Fortune
• 13 Secrets to Keeping Cardinals in Your Yard All Year