Will Cardinals bother my bees?

mfchele · May 08, 2010, 09:39:27 PM

I'm new to beekeeping and very excited to see how well I do with this new hobby. I'm sure I'll have lot's of questions as time goes on. Here is the first. I just noticed two Cardinals resting on my hive. Just wondering if I should worry about them or any bird for that matter. Thanks!

gardeningfireman · May 08, 2010, 10:43:06 PM

NO! :)

mfchele · May 08, 2010, 11:19:05 PM

Thanks!

Highlandsfreedom · May 08, 2010, 11:56:47 PM

I had a wood pecker rapping on top of one of my nuc's last fall. I sicked my killer cats on it and I have seen it no more.

greezykid · May 09, 2010, 08:09:58 AM

I have a family of cardinals that's been here for years,they don't go near the bees

wfuavenger · May 09, 2010, 11:32:56 AM

I must have birds from hell then.... I have seen my bees get nailed three times while sitting and watching them about 5 feet away! Robins and titmice are my biggest problem.

ruth · May 09, 2010, 12:02:26 PM

In our beekeeping class we were told that certain birds catch bees - notably flycatchers and purple martins. I don't think that cardinals do.

Kathyp · May 09, 2010, 12:02:37 PM

i have a swallow problem. just went to the barn and they are gathering for breakfast. as soon as the bees start flying they'll start eating. they eat a lot, and yes, they can take hive numbers down.

i had robins sitting on my hives eating bees as they came out the entrance, but that was solved by putting wind socks around the hives.

kedgel · May 09, 2010, 02:59:50 PM

Cardinals eat seeds, etc. not insects.

Kelly

troutstalker2 · May 09, 2010, 11:04:23 PM

The bees should be fine, but I would keep an eye out if there are any alter boys in the neighborhood. ;)

jdesq · May 10, 2010, 10:53:30 AM

Quote from: troutstalker2 on May 09, 2010, 11:04:23 PM
The bees should be fine, but I would keep an eye out if there are any alter boys in the neighborhood. ;)

:-D

philinacoma · May 10, 2010, 11:16:20 AM

Quote from: troutstalker2 on May 09, 2010, 11:04:23 PM
The bees should be fine, but I would keep an eye out if there are any alter boys in the neighborhood. ;)

:evil:

mfchele · May 10, 2010, 09:16:50 PM

Thanks for all the reply's. I'm only more worried now but that's ok. I have a lot of birds living in my trees. Hopefully they wont cause too much of a problem. Will put up some wind socks. That's a great idea! Then I'll just watch and see what happens.

Ted n Ms · May 11, 2010, 11:26:55 PM

A summer tanager male looks a lot like a cardinal he is brillant red the female is olive green and yellow. THEY ARE BEE EATERS. I have been watching them around my bees this week. I don't worry about a few being taken , but it could be a big deal if you virgin queens on a mating flight.

Tyro · May 12, 2010, 08:56:25 AM

Not that anyone would - and normally, I am proactive about animal problems such as bears (BANG!) - but (as a reminder) ALL migratory songbirds (and I believe all songbirds in general) are federally protected. It is federal offense to kill them, destroy nests, etc. It is also a federal offense to possess any part of of a songbird or raptor (feathers, feet, etc.) without a permit.

I just wouldn't want anyone on the forum to get jammed up trying to protect their bees by not being aware of their (songbirds) status.

Two Bees · May 12, 2010, 01:59:27 PM

You may have Summer Tanagers. They are very similar in color but without the dark mask and top notch that you find on Cardinals. Also, the Cardinal's beak is short and stumpy, ideal for cracking open seeds. The Tanager has a longer, more pointed beak similar to a Robin and is yellow-greenish in color.

A Tanager's favorite food is wasps.....................bees are in the same family! :-D