What is the Best Cardinal Bird Food?

If you’re anything like me, there’s something inherently enthralling about cardinals gracing your yard. They’re more than just pretty red birds; charming, slightly shy backyard regulars. So, if you’re wondering what is the best cardinal bird food and how to keep them coming back for more, let’s dive into all I’ve learned about feeding cardinals. Here’s the inside scoop on their favorite foods, feeding habits, and a few tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way.

Cardinals are ground feeders with robust thick beaks to crack open the seeds. Keep them happy with offerings that imitate natural diet and deliver nutrition. Here are a few favorites:

Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
They attract black oil sunflower seeds if you want to attract cardinals. Cardinals love them; they have a very high content of fat and energy, especially necessary when it is cold outside. Easy for the birds to crack them open, even for young birds who may still be learning the ropes.

Safflower Seeds
If you have feeder bullies such as grackles, squirrels, or even doves, consider using safflower seeds. Those birds typically leave those seeds alone, but my cardinals just love the stuff. I call it my “peacekeeper seed,” because it tends to keep the feeder a bit on the quiet side so my cardinals can have their mealtime undisturbed.

Unsalted, Shelled Peanuts
Peanuts are high in protein, which gives birds an extra boost of fuel during the winter months. I have cardinals in my yard that go wild for peanuts, especially on frosty mornings. Just make sure they are unsalted because added salt can be toxic to birds.

Millet and Cracked Corn
These can be nice additions to a mix. Millet and cracked corn are both small and offer a change of pace. Cardinals will pick through these, choosing favorites, and they are a favorite of sparrows, too, so you will often get some shared feeding time in your yard.

Fruits
Cardinals, like many of us, appreciate a little difference in their diet. Dried or fresh fruits like raisins, cranberries, and apple pieces are fun treats to try. Sometimes I scatter them on a platform feeder or near bushes where cardinals like to hop around.

Mealworms

Offering live or dried mealworms is an excellent way to attract cardinals, especially in spring and summer when they’re feeding their young and require a protein boost.

Successfully feeding cardinals goes beyond just putting out the right cardinal bird food. Here are some modifications that invite these birds in with even more success:

Use Stable Feeders: Cardinals do not like tube feeders, as these often swing. They are looking for something stable on which they can sit comfortably. To this end, platform feeders, hopper feeders, or wide, flat surfaces are perfect. If the feeder is steady and in proximity to cover, then birds will make visits.

Feed at Dawn and Dusk: Cardinals are generally known to be early risers and evening feeders; thus, stocking the feeder at dawn and just before dusk will catch them in their quiet times for feeding. It’s almost magical, watching them snack at sunrise or sunset!

Place Feeders Near Shrubs or Trees: Cardinals are very skittish birds that prefer feeding areas where they can retreat quickly for cover. I place my feeders near some evergreens or dense shrubs, which offer a little “safe haven” if they must dart away.

Water: Adding a birdbath or water feature will attract cardinals, as they love to drink and bathe. Choose shallow birdbaths and keep the water fresh, especially in warmer months. Read the full guide about the best location for birth baths.

A custom cardinal bird food mix is a fun way to keep them interested. Here’s what I like to use:

50% Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
25% Safflower Seeds
25% Shelled, Unsalted Peanuts

This mixture provides a wonderful balance of fatty, protein-rich, and carbohydrate-packed foods that the cardinals need to enjoy and stay happy and plump! You can mix them in various proportions since all of the ingredients are in favor of cardinals.

What is the best food for cardinals in winter?

Winter months are usually when things really start to set in-cold-wise, and during this time cardinals start to crave a lot of fats and proteins. The best choices are black oil sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and peanuts. When really cold weather sets in, I go ahead and feed extra peanuts, which are always something they seem to really dig.

How do I keep other birds from crowding my cardinal feeder?

Safflower seeds are an excellent method of keeping bully birds, like grackles, away. A number of larger birds are less attracted to these seeds as well. You may also want to use a caged feeder, offering access to the inside for the smaller birds while blocking bigger and more aggressive visitors.

Do cardinals eat fruit?
Yes, cardinals do enjoy fruits from time to time! Dried cranberries, raisins, and little pieces of apple are fantastic variations that one can add to their diet. They are perfect treats, especially during the hotter months of the year when the cardinals are most active.

Should I feed cardinals all year round?

Of course, cardinals do not migrate, so they will be able to use the feeder throughout the year. It’s good to extend the fruits in summer, while during winter, you should focus more on high-fat seeds and nuts.

What type of feeder is best for cardinals?

Cardinals like feeders with a big area for perching. I would always go for platform feeders or strong hopper feeders because it provide them with a good surface to land on. Avoid hanging tube feeders because it is quite easy for them to use.

What if squirrels keep raiding my cardinal feeders?

I hear you! Squirrels could become a nuisance, but you can prevent that by using safflower seeds as they tend not to favor those. You could also try using a squirrel baffle or even another feeder that would keep them occupied.

Feeding cardinals brings color and life into any backyard. Such beauty can be attracted to your yard all year round, with a minimal amount of food selection changes and a few adjustments in feeder settings. Remember, they also love a fantastic perch, a quiet feeding area, and a good mix of sunflower seeds, peanuts, and safflower seeds. Do the setup and then let the beauty of these birds make them at home by sipping your coffee. But there is just something so magical when you catch the bright red pop of color as they peacefully snack. Happy birding, and may your yards be full of cardinals!