Did you know the cardinal is the state bird of seven states. Cardinals were named after the cardinals of the Roman Catholic which wore red caps and robes. With their bright red plummage, black faces, and prominent crest, cardinals are a favorite bird of many. In fact, it was once sold as a caged pet, but it was banned under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Whereas the male is a bright red color that we commonly associate with cardinals, the females are a drabber reddish-gray color.
Cardinals do not migrate. Cardinals like to inhabit and nest in low, dense shrubs, trees, or vines. Monogamous birds, when courting the female, the male will feed the female beak-to-beak. Their nests are usually built one to fifteen feet above the ground. Made out of twigs, paper, roots, bark, and leaves, they line the nests with vines, grass, or hair. During breeding season, while the female incubates the eggs, the male defends the territory and finds food for both of them. Usually, they have between two to five eggs. If you see a female cardinal singing in the nest, it may be call alerting the male that she needs food.
Northern cardinals are grainvores. Up to 90% of their diet consists of weed seeds, grains, and fruits. However, they will eat insects too. The insects they eat include: beetles, cicadas, grasshoppers, and spiders.
If you want to attract cardinals, since they are a larger bird, they need either a platform feeder or a hopper feeder. A ground bird, they usually forage on the gound for food. Since cardinals like fruit too, especially grapes, planting grapes or berries in your yard can also attract them. In the feeders, black oiled sunflower seeds, cracked corn, millet, and safflower are good choices. Cardinals also like a suet mixed with sunflower seeds or peanut butter.
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