Approximately what proportion of a cardinal's year-round diet can be animal protein?
Answer
Nearly half.
A common misconception is that cardinals subsist solely on seeds, yet observational data suggests that animal proteins derived from invertebrates play a very substantial role. Nearly half of the cardinal's diet, calculated across the entire year, can consist of these insects and spiders. This consumption balances out the higher carbohydrate and fat content supplied by the seeds and fruits that make up the other portion of their sustenance.
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Cardinal and Oriole Feeding on Mealworms - YouTube
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