The most awesome part of this is that when all the cardinals descended on the garden, they did not allow the doves, blackbirds, bluejays or squirrel to be in the garden. Cardinals aren't very aggressive, but they did take care of that little one. Everything is back to normal now. I image this was the first of many episodes with young cardinals!
Cheryl, it is fun to watch this. We've lived here 16 years and some cardinals moved in permanently about 5 yr ago, but now the "snowbirds" are staying longer. It's amazing how much that flash of red adds to the garden! Up until this year the cardinals have been rather timid, flying off every time I opened a door. This year one of the snowbirds is very people savvy--he will stay on the feeder when I'm walking thru the garden and he will talk with his beak full if I don't acknowledge his presence. Let's just say that at his permanent home, some one talks to him constantly and has made him very comfortable with human contact. It's been a revelation to me!
Good that you were able to save the bluejays! I know a lot of people don't like them, but they pass thru Central FL this time of year and they are greedy at the feeder. A little too big to eat at this model of feeder. Doves have a problem too, but they have learned how to use it. Perfect size for cardinals. And for the red wing blackbirds. I could live without them! No other critter dares approach when the blackbirds are feeding.
