How to Attract Cardinals

By Karen Bridgers

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

fruit seeds
peanut butter
peanuts
mealworms
birdseed
bird feeder

Step 1:
Buy a tray or platform feeder with space enough on it for larger birds to land.
Step 2:
Fill the feeder with any of the following foods: black-oil sunflower seeds (a cardinal favorite), safflower seeds, peanut or other nut kernels, or dried fruit such as raisins or apples.
Step 3:
Use mealworms (available at most pet stores or online), especially in spring when cardinals are feeding young.
Step 4:
Consider offering seeds from fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, cantaloupe or squash (including pumpkins).

Tips & Warnings

Tube feeders don't generally work for cardinals because the birds are too large to fit comfortably on a small perch. If the tube feeder has a seed tray at the bottom, this may eliminate the problem.
Cardinals tend to avoid feeders that are hanging or swinging. For best results, use a ground feeder or one that is set on a pole.
A great project for kids is to make a peanut butter pinecone (see Related eHows, How to Make a Peanut Butter Pinecone). Just make sure to place the pinecone on the feeder, and don't hang it, or the cardinals will be unable to access it.

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