Abstract
Inter- and intra-specific competition are known to influence feeding decisions, but relatively little research has investigated how inter- and intra-sexual interactions can impact foraging. We studied foraging preferences of male and female Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) during winter and found they preferred sunflower seed to safflower seed when presented with paired feeders in the absence of conspecifics. Male cardinals avoided feeders occupied by other males and approached feeders occupied by females, regardless of feeder contents. Female cardinals avoided other females and especially males when choosing feeders. These changes in foraging behavior by male and female cardinals as a result of conspecific presence indicate inter- and intra-sexual interactions alter the attractiveness of a high or low energy food source.
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