The Northern Cardinal is our most recognized and admired backyard bird. They are the state bird in seven states, the mascot for several professional and amateur sports teams, and what other bird could replace the Northern Cardinal on our Christmas cards?
Male and Female Cardinals strike regal poses.
Attracting Cardinals to Your Property
The Northern Cardinal offers photographers, bird watchers, and amateur naturalists a rare burst of color in an otherwise dreary winter landscape. To attract Cardinals to your property, here are some landscaping adjustments to tip the scales in your favor.
Cardinals are ground feeders that prefer to forage in the undergrowth beneath shrubs and trees. Place your feeder and water supply in a sheltered area of your property where cardinals can retreat if they feel threatened.
Cardinals will visit a tube feeder if it includes a "Cardinal Ring" for perching. However, they prefer a platform feeder that allows them to stand and feed.
The Northern Cardinal's strong beak can handle cracked corn, peanuts, or dried fruit. Their preference is safflower seeds and black oil sunflower seeds. Safflower seeds are ideal for a platform feeder as squirrels and chipmunks will not eat them.
Female at the birdbath, Male on a "Cardinal Ring"
Male and Female foraging in the backyard
"Cardinals appear when angels are near"
"When a cardinal appears in your yard, it’s a visitor from heaven.” Old folk tale
The Northern Cardinal is considered a symbol of hope and spirituality in several cultures. For example, my Italian relatives celebrate the appearance of a Cardinal as a visit from a deceased loved one. Associating the Cardinal with departed loved ones is an excellent approach to keeping their memory alive.
Set up your feeders and birdbaths this winter and welcome some old friends into your yard!
May you come to find comfort in and remember:
Cardinals appear when angels are near.
So go now, sit outside and drink your tea.
Keep a lookout for the little red bird —
It is there, your loved one will be.
Victoria McGovern
All photographs, unless otherwise noted, were taken on our one-acre property in eastern PA.
Photographs by SuperNaturalist.net
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