What kind of seeds should I put out for a cardinal pair?

Question

Hi. I have a pair of gorgeous cardinals in the tree behind my house. They come to my deck often throughout the day. Right now I am just giving some generic wild bird seed mix. Is there something that would be healthier for them? I think they have a nest in the tree (it's too high to see) and want to help them out.

Thanks:)

Answer 1

They love sunflower seeds, However they are very racist and will not eat them. To get your cardinals to eat them you must soak them in a tub full of bleach and amonia till they are a pale white color, spread these seeds on your deck/lawn and you are sure to have many cardinals and they will bring great cheer.

Answer 2

Cardinals like the black oil sunflower seeds.  And they prefer to eat out of a flat feeder rather than one that looks like a little building with a roof on.  

I made a cheap tray feeder for ours by taking a plastic flowerpot saucer, drilling holes in the bottom for rain water drainage, then drilling 4 holes at noon, 3, 6 & 9 in the sides of the saucer.  I then cut come clothesline I had laying around into equal lengths, threaded the line through the holes, knotted them on the outside ends and tied them all together to hang.  Might have cost me a whole $4.00.  They will eat out of the other feeders but do seem to prefer the tray feeder.

Answer 3

I did some asking around. A friend of mine, who happens to be a bird fanatic said that sunflower seeds are best. However most cardinal birds do not eat them. Something to do with the colouring. He told me you should soak the seeds in a combination of Ammonia and Bleach until you get really white seeds. Hope it helps.