Safflower seeds are a great source of nutrition for cardinals through the long winter months. Unfortunately, that can make them easy prey for hungry hawks. A cardinal’s red coat can be spotted easily, especially in the stark whiteness of winter. Selecting The Right Locationįinally, where you place your feeder can really make a difference for the safety of cardinals. When filling your feeder, always leave a bit under the feeders as well to provide extra feeding space. Speaking of the ground, cardinals are enjoy ground feeding when available. It allows plenty of space for the cardinals to sit and enjoy their dinner ,even when snow covers the ground below. For this reason, platform feeders are one of the best options when feeding cardinals, especially in the winter. Which means they like to have their food in front of them with a bit of area to sit or perch. Cardinals Eating HabitsĬardinals are known to be front feeders. You can also throw seed below the feeder as cardinals are more than happy to forage on the ground. With this in mind, flat, shallow feeders are better than traditional tube or house feeders. And even if it freezes, they can still chip at the ice with their strong beaks to provide a bit of moisture.Ĭardinals prefer to eat facing their food. In addition, cardinals still need water to survive, even in the middle of winter.Ī small shallow pan of water placed on the ground near their feeder at feeding time will help keep them coming back. With that in mind, it is important to make sure feeders are well stocked at these times. Cardinals are early and late feeders, preferring to eat in the early morning, and right before the sun goes down. For both keeping the cardinals safe, healthy and secure, and for having them visit your backyard on a regular basis! How To Attract & Feed Cardinals In The Winter Selecting The Right Feederīefore we cover a cardinal’s diet and favorite snacks, let’s take a look at when, how and where they like to eat. Here, a male cardinal seeks a little drink from a stream under the cover of a few thickets.Īnd that is exactly when providing them a constant source of nutrition in the right space can make all the difference. Especially toward the end of the winter, when many of their typical food sources become scarce.Į ven during the cold winter months, cardinals need a source of water. All while seeking shelter and security in evergreen trees, shrubs, and even overgrown thickets.īut locating food can be difficult at times for cardinals. Instead, they stick around and forage for wild berries, nuts and seeds. Unlike many other species of birds, cardinals do not migrate during the cold winter months. Whether it is an ultra-red male, or the pale, muted colors of a female cardinal, they stand out in stark contrast to the bare backdrop of wintertime in nature. There is nothing more stunning than catching a glimpse of a cardinal flying about in winter. Although female cardinals (left) have the same dark outline around their beak, their bodies are more muted in color, with just traces of red around the edges of their wings and tail. Male cardinals (right) are bright red with a black outline around their beak. Not only is feeding cardinals in the wintertime a great way to add backyard activity and interest, but it can also play an important role in helping these beautiful birds survive through the long winter months.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |