Becoming friends with wild birds, including cardinals, can be a rewarding experience. While birds may not form the same type of social bonds as humans, you can still create a positive and interactive relationship with them. Here are some tips to encourage cardinals to trust your presence:
Patience: Building a relationship with wild birds takes time and patience. You can start by spending time near their preferred habitat regularly, allowing them to get used to your presence.
Consistency: Birds are creatures of habit. By consistently showing up in the same location, they may become more comfortable with your presence over time.
Food offerings: Providing a bird feeder with seeds that cardinals enjoy can be a great way to attract them. Cardinals are particularly fond of sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and cracked corn.
Soft-spoken and calm behavior: When you're around the cardinals, try to be calm and move slowly. Avoid making sudden movements or loud noises that might startle them.
Mimic their behavior: As you mentioned, you can try mimicking some of their behaviors, like turning your head to the side, as this may signal non-threatening behavior to them.
Stay at a distance: Initially, keep a distance from the birds to avoid scaring them. As they become more comfortable, you can slowly approach a bit closer.
Observe from afar: Binoculars can be helpful for observing birds from a distance without disturbing them.
Create a bird-friendly environment: Consider planting native trees, shrubs, and flowers that provide food and shelter for the birds.
Avoid direct eye contact: In the bird world, direct eye contact can be interpreted as a threat or aggression. Try to avoid staring at them directly.
Remember, even if the cardinals do not become your "friends" in the human sense, you can still enjoy watching and appreciating them from a distance. Respect their natural instincts and behaviors and take pleasure in the beauty they bring to your surroundings.