Cardinals prefer black oil sunflower seeds above almost everything else, with safflower seeds a close and squirrel-resistant second. Both are big enough for their strong beaks and rich enough in fat to keep them coming back.
Offer those two seeds on a sturdy feeder and you have covered what cardinals actually want.
The seeds cardinals love most
Black oil sunflower is the top pick. The thin shell is easy for a cardinal to crack, and the high oil content gives them the energy they need year round.
Safflower is the smart runner-up. Cardinals happily eat it, while squirrels, grackles, and starlings tend to dislike its bitter taste, so it doubles as a pest filter.
Whole and chopped tree nuts, plus cracked corn in winter, round out the menu. Cardinals will also take white safflower and striped sunflower, though they work a little harder for the striped kind.
How to serve it
Cardinals are heavy birds that like a stable perch, so skip small clingy feeders. A hopper or a large platform feeder suits their body and lets them sit and eat rather than hover.
Place the feeder near cover such as shrubs or a small tree, since cardinals feel safest with an escape route close by. Our roundup of the best bird feeders by bird type shows which styles cardinals settle on most.
Timing and pairing
Cardinals feed most at dawn and dusk, so keep the feeder stocked early and late in the day. They are among the first birds active in the morning and the last to leave at night.
If you want the full setup, our guide on how to attract cardinals to your yard pairs the right seed with placement and water. And to compare blends by budget, see our picks for the best bird seed.
Keep it simple: sunflower and safflower on a solid feeder near cover, topped up morning and evening.
