 |
The Northern Cardinal
Known by a variety of names including The Red Bird, the Northern Cardinal is easily the single most popular bird among the backyard bird watchers that I interact with on a daily basis. Why? I suspect it to be a combination of his drop-dead gorgeous plumage and his mellifluous song. Many customers have come in to my store and commented on how the sight of this bird is such a "pick-me-up" for them during the bleak, cold and dreary winter months. The same is true for me. Let's have a chat about this magnificent bird. Did you know the Northern Cardinal is the state bird for 7 states:
The Northern Cardinal is what's called "sexually dichromatic" meaning that the male and female appear quite different from each other--the male being and the female being primarily grayish tan. Both the male and female cardinal sing. Research indicates that a female singing from the nest is providing her mate with information on whether or not to bring food. Cardinals are mainly monogamous and both parents care for the young, but the male provides most of the food. Unfortunately, predation of eggs and nestlings is quite high. Only 15% to 37% of produce fledglings. The brown-headed cowbird is quite rough on the bird, oftentimes discarding the original eggs. Attracting The Cardinal Is Easy
The male and female Northern Cardinal will feed regularly both on the ground and at an elevated pitch. However, due to their stout chest and limited neck, they really struggle on tube feeders and prefer to feed from a feeder with an open feeding trough. I suggest a platform feeder or hopper feeder.
If you choose a hopper feeder, I recommend a Backyard Nature Group Product. These guys have really nailed hopper feeder construction.
What Does The Cardinal Eat , Anyway?
The Cardinal has a varied diet. Offer this bird:
Over the years, I have seen cardinals favor many foods. Experience has taught me safflower to be their favorite, though there are plenty of bird watchers who swear by Black Oil. My store sells a blend, fittingly called Cardinal blend, that mixes black oil and safflower together. And the diet continues. The Northern Cardinal will eat shelled peanuts and suet as well. Serving the cardinal the former can be tough given his feeder preferences, and the later may be down right impossible. But that's o.k. Just stick with seeds for this magnificent bird. Oh, and one final note: On a particularly long, cold stretch of winter weather, I witnessed the cardinal taking peanuts-in-the-shell from my Blue Jay Feeder! Now that was a sight! Other NotesIn the winter time, the Northern Cardinal gathers in flocks--there is strength in numbers! If you are in the country-side it would not be unusual to witness flock of 50 or more.In the spring and summer, these groups disperse and it's more likely that you'll see from one to three pairs at your feeder station. The males will become quite territorial and are known for attacking their own reflection in a window!.
If you have been trying to attract cardinals without much luck, your yard may be lacking the shrubbery that cardinals do so enjoy. Nonetheless, I have seen people attract the cardinal to feeders in the middle of yards with no trees or bushes. So be patient!!! With the right feeder, the right seed, and the right weather, your dreary winter landscape may be brightened by the awesome spectacle of a flock of cardinals!!
|
