Hi, I am working on a talk about bird gardening for the general public - A
Cardinal's Guide to Gardening (since they are so popular)- and while I have
photos of cardinals eating berries,suet and sunflower seeds, I don't have
any photos of them eating insects/spiders, grass seeds, etc. If you are
willing to share, I would really appreciate it.
Also, what trees,shrubs,vines or other spots have your cardinals used for
nesting? The most recent report from a friend here in Austin (who has many
native nesting shrubs that their cardinals have used in the past) is that
they built a nest in the cage around their tube feeder. The friends left
town soon after so don't know if it was a successful nest. I have seen
active nests in Mountain Laurels and Yaupons.
For Fun -Birds Of North America Online indicates 29% of a cardinal's diet
is animal, and they feed nestlings mostly animal, which includes an amazing
diversity of larvae,centipedes, snails, slugs,etc. Our sunflower seeds
don't contain carotenoids, so fall fruits and insects make a difference to
the intensity of the cardinal's red and subsequent sex appeal. An
interesting factoid: one male cardinal's stomach even contained a part of a
field mouse according to June Osborne's book, The Cardinal.
Texbirders are a generous bunch and I appreciate your help. Thank you.
Jane Tillman
Austin
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