Despite being fairly common, cardinals can be a bit elusive. Cardinals often come to feeders as the sun is setting, when their red feathers are muted under low light conditions. Here’s how to choose the best cardinal bird feeders and birdseed to attract these beloved redbirds.
Best Cardinal Bird Feeders
Triple Tube Feeder
Begin with a tube feeder to welcome cardinals, finches, chickadees and titmice almost immediately. Those species seem to recognize the shape of the feeder, and their presence attracts other birds. High on our list of the best tube bird feeders, this Perky-Pet Triple Tube bird feeder provides multiple birds a spot to perch and eat.
Metal Tube Feeder
The Woodlink Audubon metal tube feeder is another good choice for cardinals and other backyard birds like finches and chickadees.
Red Cardinal Feeder
Or try this circular mesh Red Cardinal Feeder (above), which holds 2.5 pounds of sunflower seed!
Backyard Essentials Tray Bird Feeder
Cardinals also like to eat from platform or tray feeders. Try the Backyard Essentials Ground Tray Feeder, which you can mount to your deck railing.
Squirrel-Be-Gone Feeder
If squirrels are an issue, try this Squirrel-Be-Gone Country House feeder with a weight-sensitive perch. It even has a cute redbird perched on top of the feeder!
Best Birdseed for Cardinals
“I’ll sprinkle seeds directly on the ground or the sidewalk to give cardinals easy access to a meal,” says Mike Havlik, a naturalist for the Dallas County Conservation Board in central Iowa.
At feeders, cardinals prefer to eat sunflower seeds and safflower seeds and often shelled, unsalted peanuts. Seeds and nuts are no match for their hefty pink beaks. Cracked corn is worth setting out, too.
“I recommend safflower seed because the squirrels leave it alone, but cardinals, woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice and grosbeaks love it,” says Susan Perry of Edgewater, Florida.
