CARDINAL BACKYARD TIPS

Cardinals are known for their clear, rich whistles. Their songs include a series of repeated notes, often described as “cheer, cheer, cheer” or “birdie, birdie, birdie.” These melodic calls are commonly heard throughout the day, especially during the breeding season.

To attract cardinals to your yard, offer their preferred foods such as sunflower hearts, safflower seeds, peanut halves and white millet. They favor feeders that provide ample perching space, like platform feeders, hopper feeders, or large tube feeders with trays or curved perches. Cardinals are ground feeders as well, so scattering seeds on the ground can also attract them.

While cardinals do not use birdhouses, they prefer dense shrubbery or evergreen trees for nesting. You can encourage nesting by planting thick bushes like dogwoods or setting up a nesting shelf in a secluded, quiet area.