5 best bird seed for cardinals today

Northern Cardinals are among the most beautiful and popular backyard birds, known for their vibrant red plumage and cheerful presence. If you want to attract these stunning songbirds to your feeder.

Offering the right bird seed is key. Cardinals are not very picky but do have clear preferences for certain seeds that provide the energy and nutrients they need.

Choosing the best bird seed for cardinals can help you enjoy their company regularly and create a thriving backyard bird haven.

In this guide, we’ll highlight five top bird seed blends that cardinals love, easy to find on Amazon, and perfect for bringing these colorful visitors right to your window.

Wagner’s 62032 Cardinal Blend Wild Bird Food, 6-Pound Bag

Wagner’s Cardinal Blend is a popular choice for attracting cardinals to your backyard, thanks to its carefully selected seeds that cater to the tastes of these vibrant birds.

This blend features a mix of safflower, black oil sunflower, and striped sunflower seeds, all known favorites of cardinals.

One key benefit of this seed blend is its high oil content, which provides essential energy cardinals need, especially during colder months.

Additionally, the inclusion of safflower seeds helps deter squirrels, allowing cardinals to feed without competition from these pesky visitors.

Wagner’s Cardinal Blend works well in various feeder types including hopper, tube, and platform feeders, offering flexible options to suit your feeding setup.

Check the price of Wagner’s 62032 Cardinal Blend Wild Bird Food here

What we liked

• Contains favorite cardinal seeds: safflower, black oil sunflower, and striped sunflower

• High oil content offers essential energy for active birds

• Safflower seeds help keep squirrels away from feeders

• Suitable for hopper, tube, and platform feeders

• Provides a nutritious, energy-rich diet for adult cardinals

• Packaged in a convenient 6-pound bag, ideal for moderate feeding needs

• Seed type: Seed Mix

• Lifestage: Adult

• Main ingredients: Safflower Seed, Black Oil Sunflower Seed, Striped Sunflower Seed

Wild Delight Deck, Porch N’ Patio Wild Bird Food

Wild Delight Deck, Porch N’ Patio Wild Bird Food is specially formulated to attract colorful backyard birds like cardinals, without the mess or waste.

This premium blend contains no corn, milo, or millet—common filler ingredients that many desirable birds ignore. Instead, it features only 100% edible seeds and nuts, ensuring that every bite counts.

Its high fat content provides essential energy, especially useful for cardinals during colder months or breeding seasons.

Because it’s a clean mix, this seed is also great for porches and patios where mess control matters.

Suitable for use in hopper, tube, or platform feeders or even for ground feeding this mix is ideal for birdwatchers who want to keep things tidy while attracting vibrant bird species.

Check the price of Wild Delight Deck, Porch N’ Patio Wild Bird Food here

What we liked

• 100% edible ingredients with no fillers (no corn, millet, or milo)

• High fat content supports bird health and energy needs

• Ideal for cardinals and other songbirds

• Great for low-mess feeding on decks, porches, or patios

• Works well in all feeder types: hopper, tube, platform, or scattered

• Less waste means more value and a cleaner yard

• Seed type: Seed & Nut Mix

• Lifestage: Adult

• Main ingredients: Sunflower kernels, peanuts, tree nuts, and more

Wild Delight Nut N’ Berry Bird Food

Wild Delight Nut N’ Berry Bird Food is a premium, nutrient-rich blend that’s a magnet for cardinals and other colorful backyard birds. Available in 5- or 20-pound bags.

This mix combines protein packed nuts with naturally sweet berries, delivering a well-balanced meal that birds love.

This bird food includes no chemical preservatives or cheap filler seeds, offering only nutritious, wholesome ingredients.

Enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, the formula helps support overall bird health, while its natural flavors appeal to a wide variety of bird species.

It’s a great option for year-round feeding especially during nesting or migration seasons.

Check the price of Wild Delight Nut N’ Berry Bird Food here

What we liked

• Packed with premium nuts and real berries for a high-energy diet

• Contains no fillers or chemical preservatives

• Appeals strongly to cardinals and many other wild birds

• Includes added vitamins and minerals for extra health benefits

• Great for year-round feeding, especially in colder seasons

• Available in multiple sizes (5 lb and 20 lb bags)

• Seed type: Seed, Nut & Fruit Mix

• Lifestage: Adult

• Main ingredients: Peanuts, sunflower kernels, raisins, dried cranberries, and tree nuts

Wild Delight Nut N’ Berry Bird Food

Wild Delight Nut N’ Berry Bird Food is a premium blend that delivers both taste and nutrition to cardinals and other wild birds.

Available in convenient 5- or 20-pound bags, this seed mix features protein rich nuts paired with naturally sweet berries an irresistible combo for fruit- and nut-loving birds.

Unlike many mass-market mixes, it contains no chemical preservatives or unnecessary fillers like corn or milo.

Instead, every ingredient is hand-picked for its nutritional value, offering essential vitamins and minerals that support bird health throughout the year.

Whether you’re feeding during winter, migration, or nesting season, this nutrient-dense mix attracts a wide variety of backyard birds while promoting overall vitality.

Check the price of Wild Delight Nut N’ Berry Bird Food here 

What we liked

• Includes high-quality ingredients like peanuts, sunflower kernels, and real dried fruit

• No chemical preservatives, artificial colors, or cheap filler seeds

• Excellent for cardinals and a variety of wild birds

• Added vitamins and minerals enhance nutritional value

• Suitable for use in most feeder types including hopper, tube, and platform

• Comes in 5-lb or 20-lb bags for small or heavy-duty feeding

• Seed type: Nut & Fruit Blend

• Lifestage: Adult

• Main ingredients: Peanuts, sunflower kernels, raisins, cranberries, tree nuts

Kaytee Nut & Fruit Blend Wild Bird Food

Kaytee Nut & Fruit Blend is a flavorful and energy-rich bird food formulated to attract cardinals and other songbirds that enjoy a diverse diet. Packaged in a 5-pound bag.

This blend contains black oil sunflower seeds, hulled pumpkin seeds, dried cherries, and other natural ingredients birds crave.

The mix is designed to be easy for cardinals to eat, thanks to the inclusion of hulled seeds and soft fruits. With its fruity aroma and crunchy texture.

it entices birds quickly while delivering high levels of energy and essential nutrients.

It’s compatible with all feeder types hopper, tube, platform, and moremaking it a convenient and versatile option for daily use.

Check the price of Kaytee Nut & Fruit Blend Wild Bird Food here 

What we liked

• High-energy mix of seeds, nuts, and dried fruits like cherries

• Easy for cardinals to consume thanks to hulled and soft ingredients

• Great for year-round feeding to maintain bird health and energy

• Suitable for all feeder types: hopper, platform, tube, etc.

• Appeals to a wide variety of backyard birds beyond cardinals

• Clean blend with no artificial preservatives or flavors

• Seed type: Seed, Nut & Fruit Mix

• Lifestage: Adult

• Main ingredients: Black oil sunflower seeds, hulled pumpkin seeds, dried cherries

Audubon Park Cardinal Blend Wild Bird Food

Audubon Park Cardinal Blend Wild Bird Food offers a simple yet highly effective seed mix specifically formulated to attract cardinals.

Made with a 50/50 ratio of black oil sunflower seeds and safflower seeds two of the cardinal’s absolute favorites this blend focuses on what works, without unnecessary extras.

Free from fillers, artificial flavors, and chemical preservatives, this mix delivers clean nutrition that supports healthy feeding habits.

It’s ideal for use in hopper and platform feeders, ensuring easy access for medium sized birds like cardinals.

If you’re looking for a no-nonsense seed mix that consistently draws in vibrant red visitors, this product is a dependable and budget-friendly option.

Check the price of Audubon Park Cardinal Blend Wild Bird Food here

What we liked

• Contains only black oil sunflower and safflower seeds cardinal favorites

• No filler seeds, artificial additives, or chemical preservatives

• Attracts cardinals reliably without drawing less-desirable species

• Works well in hopper or platform feeders for easy bird access

• Minimal waste makes for a cleaner yard and feeder area

• Affordable and simple option for consistent backyard birdwatching

• Seed type: Straight Seed Blend

• Lifestage: Adult

• Main ingredients: 50% black oil sunflower, 50% safflower seed

FAQs About Feeding Cardinals

Q1: What type of bird seed do cardinals prefer?
Cardinals prefer sunflower seeds (especially black oil sunflower), safflower seeds, and occasionally peanuts. These seeds are high in fat and energy, making them ideal for cardinals’ diets.

Q2: Can cardinals eat millet or corn?
While cardinals might occasionally peck at millet or cracked corn, these are not their favorite. They usually prefer seeds with higher fat content, like sunflower and safflower.

Q3: Should I use a special feeder for cardinals?
Platform feeders or hopper feeders are best for cardinals because they provide easy access to the larger seeds cardinals prefer.

Q4: How can I keep squirrels away from the cardinal seed?
Using safflower seeds can help deter squirrels as they dislike the taste. Additionally, squirrel-proof feeders or placing feeders away from easy squirrel access can reduce seed theft.

Q5: How often should I refill the bird feeder for cardinals?
Refill your feeder as needed to keep seed fresh, especially in cold weather when birds need extra energy. Check your feeder every couple of days.

Conclusion

Feeding cardinals can be a rewarding way to connect with nature and enjoy the vibrant colors of these beloved birds right in your backyard.

By selecting the right bird seed blends particularly those rich in black oil sunflower and safflower seeds you can attract cardinals consistently while keeping your feeder clean and squirrel-free.

The five bird seed options we’ve highlighted provide a perfect balance of nutrition and appeal for cardinals and other songbirds. With quality seed and a suitable feeder.

Your backyard will soon become a cardinal hotspot, filled with cheerful chirps and beautiful sights.