I’ve been playing around with trying to get more birds into my backyard lately, specifically weaver cardinals. These little guys are beautiful, but they can be a bit picky. So, I did a bit of digging and started experimenting. Here’s what I did:
First off, I realized that these birds are kind of like the Goldilocks of the bird world – they need everything to be just right. They’re not going to just eat any old seed, and they won’t perch on any old feeder. These guys are medium-sized, so I figured they’d like a feeder that’s big enough for them to sit comfortably and, most importantly, eat facing forward. No twisting and turning for these birds!
With that in mind, I picked up a couple of hopper feeders. These seemed like a good bet because they give the birds plenty of room. I also made sure to fill them up with their favorite grub: black-oil sunflower seeds and safflower seeds. Apparently, their beaks are built for cracking open these kinds of seeds.
Next up, water. I’ll admit, I kind of forgot about this one, especially since it’s been getting colder. But turns out, cardinals need to drink every day, just like us. So, I put out a birdbath and made sure to keep it filled. I even added a little heater to it to keep the water from freezing over during those chilly mornings.
Now, where to put all this stuff? This was another puzzle. Cardinals are a bit shy, so I figured they wouldn’t want their feeders out in the open. I found a spot near some bushes where they could dart in and out for cover. It’s like giving them their own little safe haven to grab a bite.
- Keep those feeders full! I read that cardinals don’t migrate. I don’t want to leave my little feathered buddies hanging, so I’m going to make it a point to keep those feeders topped up.
- Give them some privacy. Turns out, cardinals like their personal space. They’re friendly, sure, but they also appreciate a bit of privacy. I noticed they’re really like some bushes, so I planted some more shrubs around the yard to give them some extra cover.
It’s been a bit of a learning curve, but it’s been fun. And hey, seeing those bright red cardinals flitting around my yard makes it all worth it. It is really a beautiful scene!
