Attracting Northern Cardinals, typically referred to as just Cardinals or Red Birds, to a bird feeder is fairly simple. Considering they reside in the eastern half of the US, this is a popular feeder bird. But, attracting and holding them requires a correctly styled feeder sized appropriately to enhance your success rate of feeding this lovely bird.
We are often asked what feeder is best for Cardinals? Of the feeders we produce, hands down the fly-through is the best choice. Any open platform style feeder placed on the ground, pole mounted or hung from a hanging rope will attract this beautiful bird. Since cardinals are relatively clumsy birds in comparison to others like Chickadees and Nuthatches, they prefer a feeder with an open, flat landing platform. Hence, any open platform feeder will work but the fly through style feeder is positively the most preferred choice.
Fly through bird feeders come is an array of sizes. In essence, they are an open platform feeder with a protective roof typically supported by a set of vertical sides. Any good fly through feeder will work well for cardinals but they tend to gravitate to smaller sized feeders. I personally believe they gain a sense of security in a more confined feeding space. A feeder having a short roof height and vertical roof supports placed close together produces this more confined area. Any wild animal which feels secure in its feeding area will remain in that location and this is what we as birders desire.
Since the cardinal is always the first bird to arrive in the morning and the last to feed before dark, setting up a feeder targeting them is a very worthy endeavor. Their early and late feeding habits will add that much more enjoyment to your birding world and I highly recommend making the effort to attract and hold these beautiful birds within your own yard.
Peter Hurley has been an active nature lover and wildlife enthusiast his entire life and is the owner of The Hurley-Byrd Bird Feeder Co. His vast experience with wildlife has led him to produce some of the finest bird, deer and wildlife feeders in the world.
Visit http://www.hurleybyrd.com/FlyThroughFeeders.html for more information regarding the Northern Cardinal and how to feed this beautiful bird. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to visit Hurley-Byrd's site and write Mr. Hurley directly. You are also welcome to view some beautiful photos of birds, deer and other creatures from around the country.
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