Call a Conclave of Cardinals to *Your* Backyard

This month, Cardinals from all over the world are flocking to the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City to hold a "cum clave" to elect a new Bishop of Rome; aka the Pope.  

Fortunately for us, we don't have to wait for a Pope to resign to attract flocks of cardinals to our backyards: we just have to provide our feathered friends with food and places to stay!

Cardinalis cardinalis, our Northern Cardinal, is a year round resident of the Finger Lakes Region.  In the image above, the female is on the left, sporting fawn, almost olive colored plumage with red highlights and her male counter part in on the right in a bright red coat of feathers.  Both sexes wear a black eye mask, although on the male it is much more distinct. Many an avid bird watcher remembers seeing their first cardinal pair when young.  The striking red color,  triangular beaks and raised crest on their heads make them easy to identify.  I often wonder if the Cardinals of the Vatican, with their red robes and pointy head gear are mimicking our birds in their dress! 

Here is a listing of native plants you can add to your landscape to attract cardinals.  We've also noted when these plants provide food and if they are good for nest sites and cover.  These lovely birds frequently travel in pairs and feed on a variety of insects, seeds and fruits.  Cardinals also tend to sit low in shrubs and trees and forage on or near the ground.   The Cornell Lab or Ornithology provided this information.  Click and explore their pages to learn more about our feathered friends and what you can do to encourage them to visit your home and garden.  

	Summer Fruiting	Fall Fruiting	Fruits persist in Winter	Nesting	Cover
Nannyberry / Arrowwood (Viburum sp.)		X	X	X	X
Red Osier and Gray Dogwood (Cornus sp.)		X	X	X	X
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus Typhina)		X
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)		X	X	X	X
Wild Grape (Vitis sp.)		X		X	X
Crab Apples (Malus sp.)		X	X	X	X
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)		X		X
Service Berries (Amelanchier sp.)	X			X
Mulberries (Morus sp.)	X			X