Imagine a flash of brilliant red against a backdrop of green leaves or white snow. That’s the magic of spotting a cardinal! These stunning birds are a joy to watch in any backyard. But getting them to visit consistently can sometimes feel like a puzzle. You want to give them the best, but with so many types of birdseed out there, how do you know what the cardinals will truly love?
It’s frustrating when you put out seed, but only the smaller birds or squirrels seem to enjoy it. You might wonder if you’re wasting your money or, worse, if you’re not providing what these beautiful birds actually need to thrive. Choosing the right birdseed isn’t just about attracting them; it’s about making sure they get the nutrition they deserve.
In this post, we’ll explore exactly what cardinals look for in their meals. You’ll learn which seeds are their favorites and which ones to avoid. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to fill your feeders with confidence, knowing you’re creating a true cardinal buffet. Get ready to welcome more of these fiery red visitors to your yard!
Our Top 5 Bird Seed For Cardinals Recommendations at a Glance
| Image | Product | Rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Audubon Park Cardinal Blend Wild Bird Food | 9.0/10 | Check Price |
 |
Wagner’s 53002 Farmer’s Delight Wild Bird Food with Cherry Flavor | 8.9/10 | Check Price |
 |
Wagner’s 62032 Cardinal Blend Wild Bird Food | 8.6/10 | Check Price |
 |
Kaytee Cardinal Wild Bird Seed | 9.3/10 | Check Price |
 |
Kaytee Nut & Fruit Wild Bird Seed | 8.7/10 | Check Price |
Top 5 Bird Seed For Cardinals Detailed Reviews
1. Audubon Park Cardinal Blend Wild Bird Food
Rating: 9.2/10
Attract a dazzling array of feathered friends to your backyard with Audubon Park Cardinal Blend Wild Bird Food. This 4-pound bag is packed with high-quality seeds, specifically chosen to please cardinals and many other popular songbirds. Say goodbye to wasted seed and hello to happy visitors!
What We Like:
- Made with 100% sunflower and safflower seeds. No fillers means every seed is enjoyed by birds.
- Black oil sunflower seeds provide lots of energy for active birds.
- Safflower seeds are high in oil, which birds love.
- Squirrels don’t like safflower, so less seed goes to unwanted guests.
- It draws in beautiful cardinals, cheerful chickadees, busy titmice, colorful finches, and bold grosbeaks.
- Works well in hopper, tube, and platform bird feeders.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 4-pound bag might be gone quickly if you have a lot of birds visiting.
This seed blend is a fantastic way to bring more birds to your yard. You’ll love watching the different species enjoy this nutritious and delicious food.
2. Wagner’s 53002 Farmer’s Delight Wild Bird Food with Cherry Flavor
Rating: 8.9/10
Bring a burst of flavor and fun to your backyard with Wagner’s 53002 Farmer’s Delight Wild Bird Food. This 10-pound bag is packed with a value-priced mix designed to attract all sorts of feathered friends. The cherry flavor is an added bonus that birds can’t resist. It’s a simple way to make your yard a popular spot for local wildlife.
What We Like:
- This mix is a great value for its price.
- It attracts a wide variety of backyard birds, so you’ll see lots of different species.
- The blend includes general purpose seeds like sunflower, which most birds enjoy.
- It works well in both hopper and tube feeders, making it easy to use with your existing setup.
- Only the highest quality grains are used, ensuring a nutritious meal for your visitors.
- The product is proudly made in the USA.
- The cherry flavor is a unique touch that seems to really grab the birds’ attention.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it attracts many birds, some picky eaters might prefer single-ingredient foods.
- The cherry flavor, though appealing, might not be for every single bird species out there.
Wagner’s Farmer’s Delight is a solid choice for anyone looking to liven up their backyard with bird activity. It offers good value and variety, making it a delightful addition to your bird-feeding routine.
3. Wagner’s 62032 Cardinal Blend Wild Bird Food
Rating: 9.3/10
Attract beautiful cardinals and other colorful birds to your yard with Wagner’s 62032 Cardinal Blend Wild Bird Food. This special mix is packed with the seeds they love, giving them the energy they need to thrive. It’s a simple way to bring a splash of vibrant life to your outdoor space.
What We Like:
- Made with 60% black oil sunflower seeds and 40% safflower seeds, a favorite combination for many birds.
- The high oil content in these seeds provides excellent energy for active birds, especially during colder months.
- Features a convenient velcro press-lok closure to keep the food fresh and prevent spills.
- Proudly made in the USA, ensuring quality and supporting American jobs.
- This blend is specifically designed to attract and nourish brilliantly colored birds like cardinals.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 6-pound bag might be a bit small for serious bird watchers with very active feeders.
- While great for cardinals, some smaller birds might find it harder to crack the larger safflower seeds.
Wagner’s Cardinal Blend is a solid choice for anyone looking to feed their feathered friends. It offers a nutritious and appealing mix that will surely draw a crowd to your bird feeder.
4. Kaytee Cardinal Wild Bird Seed
Rating: 8.9/10
The Kaytee Cardinal Wild Bird Seed, 7 lb is a fantastic choice for any bird lover. This premium blend is designed to attract your favorite feathered friends, especially cardinals. It’s a simple way to bring more life and color to your backyard.
What We Like:
- It uses safflower seeds, which have a bitter taste that squirrels don’t like. This helps keep the food for the birds.
- The blend attracts beautiful cardinals, cheerful chickadees, busy nuthatches, and colorful grosbeaks. You’ll see a variety of birds visiting your feeder.
- It mixes two of the cardinal’s favorite foods: black oil sunflower and safflower seeds. This makes it extra appealing to them.
- The Kaytee Cardinal Blend is a high-quality mix of foods that cardinals really enjoy. It’s a thoughtful combination for their diet.
What Could Be Improved:
- While great for cardinals, it might not attract as wide a variety of other bird species as some general seed mixes.
- The 7 lb bag can be a bit heavy for some people to handle.
This seed mix is an excellent way to treat your local birds. It’s a simple, effective way to create a bird-friendly haven in your yard.
5. Kaytee Nut & Fruit Wild Bird Seed
Rating: 9.0/10
Bring a burst of color and song to your backyard with Kaytee Nut & Fruit Wild Bird Seed, a 5 lb bag packed with delicious treats for your feathered friends. This premium blend is designed to attract a wide variety of songbirds, making your feeder a popular spot for all sorts of beautiful visitors. It’s a high-energy, nutritious mix that keeps birds coming back for more.
What We Like:
- It’s a premium wild bird food blend that attracts many colorful songbirds.
- The food is high in energy and nutrition, keeping birds visiting longer.
- It contains ingredients like sunflower seeds, peanuts, raisins, and cherries that birds love.
- The blend is specially made to appeal to a variety of birds, including cardinals, chickadees, and woodpeckers.
- Kaytee is a trusted brand with over 150 years of experience in bird food.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 5 lb bag size might run out quickly if you have many birds visiting.
- Some users might prefer a blend with fewer small, loose pieces that can be easily scattered.
Kaytee Nut & Fruit Wild Bird Seed is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to create a vibrant bird habitat. Give your local birds the tasty, nutritious food they deserve and enjoy the lively feathered show it brings.
Choosing the Best Bird Seed for Cardinals
Cardinals are beautiful birds that bring vibrant color to any backyard. If you want to attract these stunning creatures, providing the right birdseed is key. This guide will help you pick the perfect food to make your cardinal friends happy and well-fed.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for cardinal birdseed, keep these important features in mind:
- High-Quality Ingredients: Look for seeds that are fresh and free from dust or fillers. Good seed means healthy birds.
- Nutrient-Rich: Cardinals need a diet packed with protein and fat. Seeds like sunflower and safflower are excellent choices.
- No Artificial Additives: Avoid seeds with artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Natural is always best for wild birds.
- Minimal Waste: Some seeds are more likely to be eaten than others. You want to get the most for your money and feed the birds, not the squirrels.
- Easy to Dispense: The seed should flow easily from your bird feeder. Clumped or dusty seed can be frustrating.
Important Materials (Seeds)
Cardinals have specific dietary preferences. Here are the most important seeds to look for:
- Black Oil Sunflower Seeds: These are a top favorite for cardinals. They have thin shells and a high fat content, giving birds lots of energy.
- Safflower Seeds: Cardinals love safflower seeds. They are less appealing to squirrels and some other common backyard birds, meaning more for your cardinals.
- Peanuts (Shelled and Unsalted): Chopped or whole unsalted peanuts are a great treat for cardinals. They are full of protein and fat.
- Striped Sunflower Seeds: While black oil is preferred, cardinals will also eat striped sunflower seeds.
Seeds to Limit or Avoid
- Milo and Red Millet: These are often found in cheaper mixes. Cardinals don’t eat them much, and they tend to get wasted.
- Corn (Cracked or Whole): Many birds don’t eat corn, and it can attract unwanted critters like rodents.
- Oats: While some birds eat oats, they aren’t a primary food source for cardinals.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of birdseed can vary a lot. Here’s what makes a difference:
- Freshness: Stale seed can lose its nutritional value and might even be harmful. Always check the expiration date and buy from reputable sources. Fresh seed smells good and looks clean.
- Storage: How the seed is stored before you buy it matters. It should be kept dry and cool. Bags that are ripped or damp might mean the seed has gone bad.
- Cleanliness: Seed that is dusty or full of broken pieces isn’t ideal. Birds can get sick from inhaling dust. Good seed is clean and uniform.
- Ingredient Purity: Blends that claim to be for cardinals but are mostly fillers like millet or corn are of lower quality. The best seed focuses on the ingredients cardinals love.
User Experience and Use Cases
Using the right birdseed leads to a wonderful user experience for both you and the birds.
- Attracting Cardinals: When you put out high-quality seed like black oil sunflower or safflower, you’ll likely see cardinals visiting your feeders regularly. This is the primary use case – creating a reliable food source for them.
- Observe Bird Behavior: Providing the right food allows you to watch cardinals up close. You can see them feeding, interacting, and enjoying their meals. It’s a rewarding experience for birdwatchers.
- Creating a Habitat: A consistent supply of good food encourages cardinals to stay in your yard for longer periods, potentially even nesting. This helps build a small ecosystem in your backyard.
- Minimizing Waste and Pests: Using seed that cardinals prefer means less food is scattered on the ground. This reduces waste and helps prevent attracting unwanted pests like rodents or nuisance birds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Cardinal Bird Seed
Here are answers to some common questions you might have.
Q: What is the absolute best seed for cardinals?
A: Black oil sunflower seeds are widely considered the best and most popular choice for cardinals. Safflower seeds are a close second.
Q: Should I buy a special cardinal mix, or just plain sunflower seeds?
A: Plain black oil sunflower seeds or safflower seeds are often better than “cardinal mixes.” Many mixes contain fillers that cardinals don’t eat.
Q: Can I feed cardinals unsalted peanuts?
A: Yes, unsalted peanuts are a great, protein-rich treat for cardinals. Make sure they are unsalted and not roasted.
Q: What kind of feeder works best for cardinals?
A: Cardinals prefer feeders that offer a large, open feeding tray or platform. Tray feeders or large tube feeders work well.
Q: How often should I refill my bird feeder?
A: Refill your feeder whenever it’s about half empty. This ensures birds always have access to food.
Q: Will squirrels eat cardinal seed?
A: Squirrels love sunflower seeds. Safflower seeds are less attractive to them, which can help keep them away from your cardinal feeders.
Q: How can I tell if the birdseed is fresh?
A: Fresh seed will look clean, have a pleasant smell, and be free of dust or mold. Stale seed might look dull or smell musty.
Q: Can I mix different types of seeds together?
A: Yes, you can mix black oil sunflower seeds with safflower seeds. This offers variety for the cardinals.
Q: What should I do if cardinals aren’t eating the seed I put out?
A: Try switching to plain black oil sunflower seeds or safflower seeds. Also, make sure your feeder is clean and in a safe location away from predators.
Q: Is it okay to feed cardinals during winter?
A: Absolutely! Winter is when cardinals need food the most. Providing seed during cold months can really help them survive.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.