I so love it when people tell me their observations about
what’s going on in their yard. I'm sure many people are very jealous. Northern
Cardinals are the most sought after birds in the mid-Michigan bird feeding
community.
Of course what you’re seeing foreshadows a change
in seasons. By late summer, nesting is over and Northern Cardinals relax their
defense of their territory boundaries. The birds sing less and flocks of
cardinals begin to form. The Cardinals don’t migrate but can expand their range
while foraging for food.
Young cardinals don’t have a set territory and can move
around together freely in search of food. Older cardinals can join these young
flocks for a time but drop out once it leaves their normal range.
These ever changing flocks can consist of about four to
twenty birds depending on the area, time of year, weather, and available
resources.
Southern states will see larger flocks, of course, because
the population is higher in the Southeast. Flock size also increases in
December and January when temperatures decline or there is snow on the ground. More birds can find food easier and look out for
predators.
About 40% of adult cardinals die each year. Most die during
the winter in February and March when food supplies are low. Death may not be
due to starvation but a weakened immune system or being forced to search for
food in more open areas where birds of prey and other predators can kill them.
Cardinal populations with access to a feeding station may be
in better condition and more likely to survive the winter than cardinals
without access. The Northern Cardinal is
often the first bird to visit a feeder in the morning and the last to stop by and
grab a bite at night.
Cardinals prefer to feed on the ground so if you can
"raise the ground" by feeding cardinals on tray feeders, hopper feeders or any feeder that gives them a comfortable feeding position they'll be
happy. Their favorite food is oil sunflower, nuts, safflower and fruit. WildBirds Unlimited has a wide variety of cardinal friendly feeders.

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How to Attract Cardinals: http://bit.ly/pjh7mO