Red Cardinal? (home, buy, shop)

[jaypp]

Hi

Any bird watchers or expert here. I really these red cardinal and would like to get them in my backyard. What is the best way to get these guys to make a home in my backyard? Anyone have any good solid advice? They usually stop by and off they go.

thanks

[GoYanks34]

Originally Posted by jaypp

Hi

Any bird watchers or expert here. I really these red cardinal and would like to get them in my backyard. What is the best way to get these guys to make a home in my backyard? Anyone have any good solid advice? They usually stop by and off they go.

thanks

Cardinals are seed eaters so if you placed a bird feeder I'm sure they would stay longer. They are ground feeders but I've seen them perch at bird feeders. If the seeds fall to the ground while others are eating they prefer to eat there. They love sunflower seeds. They eat nuts and insects as well. I feed the squirrels peanuts from my balcony when they come around and the cardinals sit in the bush below and chirp until I throw them one (I usually shell it for them, while they can open them, it takes them awhile). Suet may also work and keep the bird population down if you didn't want to attract too many other species. They also tend to return to the same areas every year (or some stay year round). They are quite territorial so the chances of you having a lot of them is slim - the dominant ones will usually chase the others away. They also mate for life (just an interesting little tidbit).

As far as making a home, the ones in your area already have a nest and are not going to relocate it. If you have a lot of trees for nesting, you should get a fair amount of birds but if you feed them they will come by often and stay longer.

[fred44]

Cardinals love black oil sunflower seeds and bird baths. If have provide food, water, and shelter, birds will make your yard their home.

[Marc Paolella]

Originally Posted by fred44

Cardinals love black oil sunflower seeds and bird baths. If have provide food, water, and shelter, birds will make your yard their home.

This. Go to Shop-Rite and buy a big bag of black oil sunflower seeds. Be patient. They won't come immediately. But once they discover that you are a source of sunflower seeds, they will be stopping by all the time. As will a bunch of other birds. And, unfortunately, those damnable squirrels.

[GoodSchoolols]

Hmm funny without even trying I have cardinals in my yard. No seeds, or special plants...go figure!