Yes, cardinals do eat black oil sunflower seeds. Cardinals are seed-eating birds that thrive on oil-rich seeds like black oil sunflower seeds. Offering black oil sunflower seeds is one of the best ways to attract beautiful red cardinals to your backyard.
Why Cardinials Like Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Cardinals prefer black oil sunflower seeds for several reasons:
- High fat content – Black oil sunflower seeds have a higher fat content than other types of seeds. Cardinals need a high-fat diet, especially in winter.
- Thin shells – The shells of black oil sunflower seeds are thinner and easier for cardinals to crack open than other seeds.
- No messy debris – When cardinals eat black oil sunflower seeds, there is no messy shell debris left behind.
- Nutrition – Black oil sunflower seeds provide cardinals with important nutrition like protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Year-round food source – Cardinals will feed on black oil sunflower seeds year-round as a staple food source.
The high fat content of black oil sunflower seeds is especially beneficial for cardinals in cold winter weather. The fat provides cardinals with the extra calories and energy they need to maintain their body heat and survive cold temperatures.
How to Offer Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Here are some tips for offering black oil sunflower seeds to attract cardinals:
- Use a specialty bird feeder designed for sunflower seeds. Platform feeders or hopper feeders work well. Avoid mixes that contain filler seeds.
- Place the feeder in an open area near trees or shrubs. Cardinals prefer to feed in more open areas with nearby cover.
- Make sure the feeder is in a spot that is safe from predators like cats.
- Clean and disinfect feeders regularly to prevent disease.
- Offer fresh seeds often, as cardinals prefer fresh food.
- Provide a water source like a bird bath, fountain, or mister.
- Be patient. It may take cardinals a few days to find and get accustomed to new feeders.
When to Offer Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
You can offer black oil sunflower seeds to attract cardinals year-round. Here are some tips for timing:
- Fall – Offer seeds as cardinals prepare for winter and their food sources decline.
- Winter – Keep feeders well-stocked as this is when cardinals rely on feeders the most.
- Spring – Continue offering seeds as cardinals prepare to nest and feed their young.
- Summer – Cardinals will continue visiting seed feeders as long as food is abundant.
- Year-round – Supplying black oil sunflower seeds consistently year-round is ideal to keep cardinals visiting.
Be sure to clean and fill feeders often so the seeds stay fresh. Cardinals will feed at feeders year-round if the seeds are plentiful.
Cardinal Feeding Behavior
Here are some interesting facts about how cardinals feed on black oil sunflower seeds:
- Cardinals use their strong pointed beaks to crack open sunflower seed shells.
- They discard the outer shell and eat only the meaty inner kernel.
- A cardinal can crack open about 40 sunflower seed shells per minute!
- Cardinals swallow the kernel whole and crush the seed in their gizzard.
- They feed throughout the day, often in early morning and late afternoon.
- Male and female cardinals often feed together as mated pairs.
Cardinals are very adept at cracking and eating black oil sunflower seeds. Offering these nutritious seeds consistently will satisfy a cardinal’s dietary needs and keep them returning to your feeders.
Other Foods Cardinals Enjoy
While black oil sunflower seeds are a cardinal’s favorite, they will also eat other foods at bird feeders including:
- Safflower seeds – Another oil-rich favorite that cardinals prefer.
- Peanuts – Shelled, unsalted peanuts are enjoyed by cardinals.
- Nyjer seed – A tiny black seed high in calories that cardinals like.
- Cracked corn – Cardinals will sometimes feed on cracked corn mixed with other seeds.
- Suet – Homemade or commercial suet provides fat and nutrients.
- Fruit – Chopped fruits or berries are attractive to cardinals.
- Mealworms – Live or dried mealworms offer cardinals protein.
- Bird pudding – Suet-based bird pudding with seeds, nuts, and fruit.
In addition to feeders, you can also attract cardinals with fruiting shrubs and plants in your garden. Some favorites include dogwoods, viburnum, honeysuckle, and winterberry. Provide a water source like a bird bath too. Cardinals drink and bathe daily.
Conclusion
Black oil sunflower seeds are a preferred food for cardinals due to their high fat content, thin shells, and nutrition. Offer these nutritious seeds in specialty feeders year-round to attract brilliant red cardinals to your backyard. Make sure to provide fresh food and water daily. Cardinals will reward you with their beauty at feeders when their needs are met.
