The Northern Cardinal is a very common bird found throughout most of the eastern and central states, the whole south, and a lot of the southwestern United States. They can be in yards, gardens, woodlands, even deserts and have greatly elevated their breeding variety more than the past 80 years. The Northern Cardinal does not migrate in the winter therefore providing shelter, proper meals, and fresh water will entice them to go to your yard with enthusiasm and continue to do so all through the year.Northern Cardinals prefer dense shrubby areas such as forest edges, overgrown fields, hedgerows, backyards, marshy thickets, mesquite, and ornamental landscaping. Cardinals nest in dense foliage at heights ranging from 3 to 12 feet off the ground in numerous kinds of trees and shrubs. You will find them nesting in dogwood trees, honeysuckle vines, grape vines, red cedar trees, spruce trees, rose bushes, blackberry brambles, elm trees, sugar maple trees and box elders. They do not nest in bird houses or nesting boxes.The diet plan of these beautiful red birds consist mostly of seed and fruit for the adults and the nestlings are fed mostly insects. Cardinals consume many sorts of birdseed. The Northern Cardinal’s powerful thick bill is perfect for big seeds. Black sunflower seeds, striped sunflower seeds, and safflower seeds are three of their favorites. Other foods cardinals favor include cracked corn, peanut pieces, fresh berries, apple chunks and little pieces of suet. Offering a mix of these in wide feeders with space for them to perch will attract them to your yard or garden. Do not use small tube feeders unless they have a large tray at the bottom. Platform feeders and fly through feeders are also a good option. Since Cardinals are ground feeders the meals supply you provide ought to be kept at ground level or below about 5 feet. Open air cedar bird feeders mounted on a post are an superb choice. It is also essential to note that due to their bright color it is safer for the Northern Cardinal to feed extremely early in the morning or extremely late in the evening. They will often be the initial to feed in the morning and the final bird at your feeder at evening.Cardinals like all animals need fresh water. Provide water in a bird bath a couple of yards away from the feeder. Clean the bird bath at least as soon as a week and add fresh water to maintain it appealing to the birds.We have even more information concerning What do cardinals eat.