Forget expensive bird feeders – these attract cardinals just as well

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Cardinals are some of the most popular songbirds in North America, with the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) having the widest range. In fact, if you live anywhere in the southern, plains, or eastern part of the US, chances are you’ve seen this ubiquitous species year-round. According to AudubonCardinals remain common in the Southeast, but their range continues to expand into other parts of the country due to food provided by humans. If you want to attract these medium-sized birds to your own yard or garden, you don’t have to invest in a brand new feeder. Seed dispersal can be a less expensive method of attracting cardinals, but there are some rules to know ahead of time for success.

There are several ways you can do this Attract Cardinals Without Bird FeedersAnd scattering seeds is probably the easiest. Many of us are used to the idea of ​​buying the perfect bird feeder for our backyard avian friends, and these days the possibilities are truly endless. A basic feeder is a great start, but there are also more expensive smart versions, as well as ones designed to keep opportunistic rodents away from birdseed. A big thing to consider is what type of birds you are trying to attract. While some species prefer to eat seeds from a tube feeder that allows them to perch, it usually works best for smaller birds such as finches and black-capped chickadees. Cardinals may feed while hanging in bushes, but they also eat seeds from the ground. You may see them doing this with other ground-feeding birds, such as juncos, mourning doves, and towhees. So why buy an expensive feeder for a bird that doesn’t mind a little dirt?

Before you grab any old seed mix, it’s worth learning the types of seed cardinals like best. While cardinals are not necessarily picky about seeds, they are known to favor black oil sunflower seeds. Runners up include striped sunflower and safflower seeds. Consider scattering these on the ground to ensure better success with attracting these birds. Just make sure all seed placements are away from shrubs and other hiding places for predators, such as outdoor cats. Having a nearby source of fresh water can also increase the attractiveness of dispersed seeds.

If you don’t want to scatter bird seed directly on the ground, one option is to use a simple feeder that is also designed for ground-feeding birds. Ideally, these should be made of metal or other strong material with small holes to allow air flow, such as Gray Bunny Ground Bird Feeder Tray. There is a more budget-conscious and eco-friendly option Make a DIY bird feeder out of plant pots. Both DIY and store-bought ground feeders are easy to quickly fill with seed to attract medium-sized birds like cardinals.

It is notoriously difficult Keep squirrels away from bird feeders. However, deterring these and other rodents from more accessible seeds placed on the ground or filled in open tray-style feeders is more challenging. While you can’t completely keep squirrels out of your yard, you can help reduce their incidence by cleaning up any leftover seeds you scatter at the end of each day. By doing this, rats and mice also stay away during the night hours.