Cardinals have also been introduced to California, Hawaii, and Bermuda. Northern cardinals do not migrate so they live in the same place year-round.
Cardinals also like to have cover near feeders, so place it close to trees or shrubs that the birds can flee to if they are frightened. [2] X Research source Roger J. Lederer, Ph. D. Ornithologist. Make sure the bird feeder is mounted at least 4–5 ft (1. 2–1. 5 m) off the ground to protect the birds from predators and other animals. [3] X Research source Roger J. Lederer, Ph. D. Ornithologist. Cardinals like areas with dense foliage and high perches but usually stick to the edges of forests. Suburban landscaping and common backyard trees and scrubs are usually attractive habitats to cardinals. [4] X Trustworthy Source The Cornell Lab of Ornithology Research lab of Cornell University dedicated to interpreting and conserving the Earth’s biological diversity through research and education about birds Go to source
Scrub the bird feeder with a stiff brush, rinse it with cold water, and then refill it. If you have a buildup of algae or scum on the birdbath, use a mixture of one part chlorine bleach to nine parts water to clean the bath. Rinse thoroughly before refilling the bath with fresh water. If you live in an area where it freezes in winter, a heated birdbath will be very popular with your cardinals.
Food and water don’t need to be really close to the potential nesting area, but should be relatively close. For instance, if the thick shrubs are in the back of your house and the food and water are in the front, it should be ok.
Male and female cardinals look different. Male cardinals are typically bright red overall, with a black ring around the beak. Female cardinals are usually predominately brown, with bright red bills and a red crest on the top of their heads. [6] X Trustworthy Source The Cornell Lab of Ornithology Research lab of Cornell University dedicated to interpreting and conserving the Earth’s biological diversity through research and education about birds Go to source
Help cardinals by eliminating the reflection on your windows near feeding or nesting areas. Cardinals are known to fly into windows, which can seriously injure or kill them. Install bird netting, awnings, window screens, or flash tape on the outside of your windows to help cardinals avoid crashing into your windows. [8] X Research source
If you are concerned about litter from seeds, buy hulled sunflower seeds. Just make sure to change hulled seeds more often, since they go bad more easily than seeds with shells. Cardinals like large seeds. They will eat smaller seeds if nothing else is available, but they prefer large seeds, such as sunflower, safflower, peanuts, or cracked corn.
Only offer suet in colder months. If it gets too hot, it can melt and go rancid.
Be warned that ground feeding will also be attractive to squirrels and insects. [10] X Research source Roger J. Lederer, Ph. D. Ornithologist. If you have a lot of squirrels in your area, avoid ground feeding and use squirrel baffles or squirrel proof feeders. [11] X Research source
