What Do Cardinals Eat? A Complete Backyard Feeding Guide

Northern Cardinals are one of the most beloved backyard birds in North America, and the good news is they are easy to feed. Cardinals are not fussy, but a few favourite foods and the right feeder setup will bring these brilliant red birds to your yard reliably, all year round. Here is exactly what cardinals eat and how to attract them.

What do cardinals eat naturally?

In the wild, cardinals are mostly granivores, meaning seeds and grains make up the bulk of their diet, but they are flexible eaters. Their natural menu includes seeds, grains, fruits, berries, and insects, with the balance shifting through the year.

• Seeds and grains, their staple food for most of the year.
• Wild fruits and berries such as dogwood, mulberry, and wild grape.
• Insects and larvae, especially in spring and summer when raising chicks.
• Buds, sap, and waste grain in leaner months.

The best foods to feed cardinals

Black oil sunflower seeds

If you offer one food, make it black oil sunflower seed. The thin shells are easy for cardinals to crack, and the high fat content is exactly what they need. Stock up on black oil sunflower seed and you will see cardinals within days.

Safflower seed

Cardinals love safflower seed, and it has a bonus: squirrels and many nuisance birds dislike its bitter taste, so it is a great way to feed cardinals while deterring raiders.

Cracked corn, peanuts, and berries

Cracked corn and unsalted peanut pieces add variety and energy, and cardinals will happily take berries and chopped fruit. Rotate a few options to keep them coming back.

The right feeder for cardinals

Cardinals are relatively large and prefer a stable place to perch, so they struggle on small clinging feeders. Give them a platform, hopper, or large tube feeder with a tray. A sturdy bird feeder pole system keeps the feeder stable and off the ground, and a squirrel-proof feeder makes sure the cardinals, not the squirrels, get the seed. Browse cardinal bird feeders for platform and hopper designs.

Extra tips to attract cardinals

• Feed early and late, cardinals are among the first and last birds at the feeder each day.
• Offer water, a bird bath is a powerful draw, see our bird bath tips.
• Provide cover, dense shrubs give cardinals somewhere safe to shelter and nest.
• Keep feeders clean and seed dry to protect the birds’ health.

Final thoughts

Cardinals are one of the easiest and most rewarding birds to attract. Offer black oil sunflower and safflower seed on a stable platform or hopper feeder, add water and cover, and you will enjoy their colour and song through every season. Curious about their symbolism too? Read what a cardinal sighting means.