Why would Cardinals stop coming to feeder
Cardinals can all of a sudden go away due to unknown reasons, with the likelihood of predators arriving in the area the biggest cause of Cardinals disappearing.
Why Cardinals stop coming to feeders could be a fault of your own; changing bird feeders for inaccessible devices, or are you now providing the wrong bird feed, of which Cardinals prefer seeds or dried mealworms. Indirectly, an at risk natural habitat could force Cardinals elsewhere.
Sure it can happen once in a while for reasons that are completely out of your hands; only thing you can do in the meantime is await for Northern Cardinals arrive again by continuing to feed other common backyard birds like you always have.
Cardinals, like any bird species, could disappear due to an indirect issue, which isn't likely to be something that is a fault of your own.
Of course we can't completely discount the possibility of it being your fault; uprooting your bird feeder pole, or re-positioning suspended bird feeders can cause Cardinals to now unable to find the once reliable feeders.
Brand new bird feeders that are far beyond a Cardinals reach could also be the issue, where a platform feeder or a suspended seed feeder with a tray must be provided.
Why Cardinals stop coming to bird feeders out of the blue can be for many reasons, with indirect incidents that are out of your control.
In due course this will fix itself as you'll find Cardinals coming to bird feeders again and therefore its vital you continue to feed your backyard birds as normal.
Natural habitat some distance away from your backyard could be at risk which will be unbeknownst to you. Cardinals will now spend time finding new nesting or roosting sites which could force Cardinals to permanently set up elsewhere.
Who know's, it could also be a property filled with feeders that is positioned en-route to your feeders that is just more convenient to Cardinals.
Simple answer could be a neighbor in your street has just begun feeding wild birds like you, but for some reason they happen to be doing a better job.
Natural habitat at risk
What you may be unaware of at this time is where a Cardinals nest is built - or indeed a tree where they sleep in at night - has come under attack.
Human interference is a possibilities as trees can be pulled down without warning, yet old trees may of be razed due to ill health.
Natural habitats of Cardinals nesting site - or roosting trees in fall through winter - can change overnight, forcing Cardinals to find new sites.
Northern Cardinals will of course continue to come to bird feeders, only now your bird feeders may be less of a priority - as they find a nesting site or a place to keep warm over the winter months.
People could be the issue but so to can cats or wild predators only now occupying the same tree Cardinals spend their time.
With all that said and done, predators like squirrels or snakes could have recently arrived at cardinals nesting trees, thus Cardinals are now attempting to build new nest sites elsewhere - in which case Cardinals have moved out of your neighborhood.
Nests of Cardinals are built in a dense part of the tree up to 15 feet up, while the open cup nest Northern Cardinals build are certainly vulnerable to predators.
Deforestation is real but so is cutting trees down or trimming them back for public safety. Fortunately, Cardinals are likely to deal with this as its your local governments policy to never disturb nesting birds in spring through summer.
Other feeders closer to nest site
Why else Cardinals have decided to stop turning up to your collection of bird feeders, could be down to your neighbors.
What could have happened over the last week or so is that anyone could of set up their own bird feeders within their yard. It could be en-route to your backyard especially which means your once reliable Cardinals have now portrayed you.
Rather than making their way to your bird feeders it could the Cardinals have found bird feeders a little closer to their nesting site or natural foraging habitat.
Cardinals can fly some way to reach your particular bird feeders as Cardinals - like all common backyard birds - will remember where feeders are on a daily basis.
Bird feeders set up super close to where Cardinals spend their foraging or nesting is far less challenging then going the extra mile to reach your location.
Don't worry though as this household who are successfully attracting Cardinals to their feeders, will soon give up as its a natural thing for most people to give up.
Neighbors gone all out
On the subject of your near neighbors, it could be a house on your row or even a neighbor a couple of doors down who are now taken on the job of feeding Cardinals their favorites bird feed.
Certainly nothing stopping anyone else setting up a bird feeding station filled with seed or nuts feeders, of which it just might be more inviting to Cardinals.
Backyard in question could be better lit up or or could be quieter than your yard, thus Cardinals will feel the need to ignore your yard for a new bird feeder set up.
Its quite a common thing to happen when neighbors begin to feed wild birds like you have, and while birds have disappeared for the meantime - you can expect them to come back to your bird feeders as soon as your neighbors give up.
Neighbors in your local area may go all out with every kind of bird feed a Cardinals can possibly want, yet time will see Cardinals coming back as normal.
In the meantime continue to feed wild birds like you always have while continuing to make way for less able Cardinals at bird feeders; Cardinals could be tempted back with sunflower seeds, dried mealworms, peanuts or suet cakes if made available.
Cardinals like dried mealworms especially thus you can think about providing some to try and entice Cardinals away from your neighbors, and back into your own yard.
Arrival of predators or pets
Why else would most Northern Cardinals decide to disappear from your bird feeders, and your neighbors as it happens - could be because predators of wild birds could have arrived in the area.
Cardinals, like most wild birds, can sense or see danger within the proximity of the bird feeders, thus they will decide to avoid the area rather than risk their lives.
Common bird feeder pests can include the local coyotes or nuisance birds, yet too many squirrels could be scaring off Cardinals all together.
With that, absolutely can stray cats begin arriving at feeders thus Cardinals would see cats ready to pounce in the undergrowth, or on the other side of the fence in the proximity of the bird feeder.
Nothing much you can do about stray cats or your neighbors, though it is possible to keep your own pet cat away from bird feeders if you want Cardinals to come back.
Its also vitally important dogs aren't allowed to loiter near or around feeders as their presence alone is enough to scare off birds for good.
Summary
Cardinals will vanish from your backyard as soon as other, more readily available bird feeders come available.
And if these bird feeders provide a better mix of Cardinals favorite feed - like sunflower seeds or dried mealworms - then you'll have serious competition with your neighbors.
If you notice neighbors stealing your once reliable Cardinals its time to up your game.
However, what's to say the Cardinals nesting or roosting site is under threat, of which Cardinals arrival to your backyard will be stopped for now due to an issue out of your yards - as Cardinals sort out a new nesting or roosting site.
Predators are the likely cause of Cardinals who stop coming to bird feeders directly or indirectly.
Directly could be because of predatory birds arriving in the area, or it could be because stray cats - or the neighbor could have a new cat wondering around the yard - which is enough to keep most common backyard birds away.
Indirectly it could be predatory animals disturbing the tree or natural habitat your Cardinals head to at night.
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