How does the cardinal's foraging style compare to finches?
Answer
Cardinals occupy a middle ground, using both perch feeding for seeds and ground hopping for insects.
Cardinals are characterized by their dual foraging strategy. They are comfortable perching at feeders consuming seeds like safflower, but they are equally adept at hopping on lawns or low decks to inspect leaf litter for prey like beetles or caterpillars. This versatility contrasts with birds like finches, which are described as being almost exclusively seed eaters and often ignoring live insects, giving the cardinal an advantage in utilizing diverse environments.
#Videos
Cardinal and Oriole Feeding on Mealworms - YouTube
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