Cardinals are loyal visitors once they find a reliable food source, and the right offerings can turn occasional stops into daily routines. These brilliant red birds have strong preferences when it comes to feeding, and understanding what they love most makes all the difference in transforming your backyard into cardinal headquarters.
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Save this article for later so you don't lose it. Enter your email and I'll send it to you now—plus you'll get my favorite backyard birding tips delivered to your inbox.
Birdfy Solar Powered Bird House with Camera
Check PriceBlack oil sunflower seeds are the undisputed champion when it comes to attracting cardinals. Their thin shells make them easier to crack than striped sunflower seeds, and the high oil content provides the fat and protein cardinals need year-round. Cardinals use their powerful beaks to hull these seeds efficiently, and they’ll return throughout the day to stock up. Offer them in a hopper feeder or platform feeder where cardinals can perch comfortably—they prefer stability over swinging feeders. Keep your supply fresh, as cardinals can detect rancid seeds and will skip your feeder if the quality isn’t up to their standards. A consistent supply of black oil sunflower seeds during winter months is especially important, as cardinals don’t migrate and rely on dependable food sources to survive cold weather.
Safflower Seeds
Safflower seeds are a cardinal favorite that comes with a bonus: most squirrels and blackbirds avoid them due to their slightly bitter taste. Cardinals, however, love safflower seeds and will choose them readily, especially when black oil sunflower seeds aren’t available. These white, angular seeds have a hard shell that’s perfectly suited to a cardinal’s strong beak, and they offer excellent nutritional value with healthy fats and protein. Safflower works beautifully in hopper or tube feeders with larger ports, and because fewer species compete for them, cardinals can feed more peacefully. If you’re dealing with feeder competition or want to give cardinals a dedicated food source, safflower is an excellent choice. You can offer it exclusively or mix it with sunflower seeds to create a cardinal-friendly blend that reduces unwanted visitors.
Get our free Hummingbird Attraction Guide! Plus, we'll send you our best tips for attracting more birds to your yard.
Crushed Peanuts
Crushed or shelled peanuts deliver the high-energy nutrition cardinals crave, particularly during breeding season and winter. These protein-packed morsels help cardinals build strength for raising young and maintaining their vibrant plumage. Offer unsalted, roasted peanuts that are chopped into smaller pieces—whole peanuts are too large for cardinals to manage easily. Platform feeders or mesh feeders work well for peanuts, giving cardinals the stable perching space they prefer. You’ll often see cardinals visit peanut feeders in the early morning and late afternoon when they’re fueling up for the day or preparing for the night. Be aware that peanuts can attract other wildlife like squirrels and jays, so consider using a baffle or dedicated cardinal feeding station if you want to minimize competition and ensure your cardinals get their fill.
White Proso Millet
While white proso millet is often associated with ground-feeding birds, cardinals will readily eat it, especially when scattered on platform feeders or directly on the ground. This small, round seed is easy for cardinals to handle and digest, making it a great supplemental option to mix with larger seeds. Millet is particularly appealing during migration periods and winter when cardinals are looking for quick energy sources. It’s also budget-friendly, allowing you to offer generous portions without breaking the bank. Ground feeding appeals to cardinals’ natural foraging behavior—in the wild, they spend considerable time searching for seeds on the forest floor. Sprinkle millet beneath shrubs or near protective cover where cardinals feel safe feeding. Just remember to only put out what can be consumed in a day or two to prevent spoilage and avoid attracting unwanted pests.
Mealworms
Mealworms might surprise you as a cardinal attractor, but these protein-rich treats are especially irresistible during breeding season when adult cardinals are feeding their young. While cardinals are primarily seed-eaters, they incorporate insects into their diet, particularly when raising nestlings that need high-protein food for rapid growth. Offer dried or live mealworms in a shallow dish or specialized mealworm feeder placed on a platform or mounted tray. You’ll have the best success offering mealworms from late spring through summer when cardinals are actively nesting. Start with small quantities to gauge interest—some cardinals take to mealworms immediately, while others need time to recognize them as food. Once cardinals discover this protein source, they’ll return reliably, often bringing their fledglings along to introduce them to your feeding station. It’s a wonderful way to support cardinal families through their most demanding season.
Berries
Fresh or dried berries provide cardinals with essential nutrients, natural sugars, and hydration, making them an excellent supplement to seed-based diets. Cardinals are particularly drawn to dogwood berries, holly berries, and serviceberries in natural settings, and you can replicate this appeal at your feeder with dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped fresh berries. Offer berries on platform feeders or fruit-specific feeders where cardinals can easily access them. During fall and winter, when natural berry sources become scarce, your feeder becomes even more valuable. Berries also provide antioxidants that help maintain the brilliant red coloration male cardinals are known for. If you want to create long-term cardinal habitat, consider planting native berry-producing shrubs like winterberry or American beautyberry in your yard. This combination of immediate feeding and sustainable landscaping gives cardinals multiple reasons to claim your property as their territory year after year.