• Cardinals like sunflower seedscardinal image by Chris Amos from Fotolia.com
  
  There are several factors to consider when selecting a feeder for cardinals. A primary concern is, of course, what do cardinals like. Fortunately, cardinals are more concerned with the feed and the feeder location than they are with the actual style of the feeder. They will even eat from pine cones smeared with peanut butter, rolled in sunflower seed and hung from tree branches with string. The appearance of the feeder itself is a more human concern, but any feeder becomes a thing of beauty when adorned with a red cardinal.
  
  

Favorite Foods

• The cardinal's beak is perfect for cracking seeds.northern cardinal image by Bruce MacQueen from Fotolia.com
  
  When you look at a cardinal's short, conical beak, it is easy to tell that they love seeds and nuts. Their beak is perfect for cracking open shells and husks. Black oil sunflower seeds are a favorite. They also enjoy peanut nibs, safflower seeds, cracked corn, wheat berries, millet, bread, nutmeats and peanut butter mixes. Cardinals also enjoy suit cakes, especially when hulled sunflower seeds and peanuts are mixed in them.
  
  

Favorite Feeders

• cardinal image by michael langley from Fotolia.com
  
  Cardinals prefer feeders with a view. Situate a feeders for cardinals suspended from a bracket or on a pole. Choose a model with a perch or a small narrow platform. While cardinals will eat happily from platform styles, they are harder to maintain. Styles that have an overhanging roof to protect the seed from snow and ice are good choices. In most areas squirrel guards are mandatory. Cardinals are friendly birds and their feeders can be located close to a house. They will even come to feeders mounted on windows and window sills.
  
  

Feeder Problems

• Squirrels are agile and creativesquirrel image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
  
  Popular feeders sometimes will end up with an accumulation of shells under them. If that is a problem shelled seeds, sometimes marketed as "meaties," can be fed. Allow the feed to run out occasionally and clear out any accumulated dust and loose seed to help prevent buildup that leads to mold problems. Squirrels can empty a bird feeder in a matter of minutes. There are many designs for squirrel guards. Inverted wide metal cones are sold in many places where feeders are sold. They are effective if the squirrels are climbing up the pole. Of course, the squirrel may be jumping from a nearby branch. Watch and see how the squirrels are getting to the feeder and remedy the problem.
  
  

Other Birds

• tufted titmouse at feeder image by gregg williams from Fotolia.com
  
  A variety of other birds will also enjoy the same feeders and feed as cardinals. These include chickadees, nuthatches, titmice and woodpeckers. Mourning doves will often feed on the ground beneath the feeder. If thwarted in their efforts to reach the feeder, squirrels and chipmunks will gather seeds from the ground as well.