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Bettesworth Construction
backyard birds

How to Bring Cardinals to Your Backyard

Offer sunflower seed, preserve dense cover, provide clean water, and make your yard safer to encourage Northern Cardinals—without expecting a guaranteed visit.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 2 min read
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To encourage Northern Cardinals, offer sunflower seed in an accessible feeder and keep dense shrubs or vines for cover. Add water, retain some natural food and shelter, and make the yard safer for birds. These steps can make a yard more inviting, but no feeder or planting guarantees a visit; first check that cardinals occur in your area.

Check whether Northern Cardinals live near you

Northern Cardinals are nonmigratory and common across much of eastern and central North America, but their range does not cover every location. Check the range map in Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Northern Cardinal overview before treating these suggestions as likely to bring them to your yard.

What bird seed do cardinals like?

Black-oil sunflower seed is a practical starting choice. Cornell Lab of Ornithology says: “Nearly any bird feeder you put out ought to attract Northern Cardinals (as long as you live within their range), but they particularly seem to use sunflower seeds.” The statement is from its Northern Cardinal Backyard Tips; it is not a promise that birds will visit every yard. Cornell’s January 26, 2026 feeder-cam article also lists cracked corn and peanut hearts as options.

Cardinals eat mainly seeds and fruit, with insects also part of their diet. Their nestlings are fed mostly insects, so feeding birds is only one part of making a yard useful to them. For more on their diet, see Cornell’s Northern Cardinal life history.

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#1 Best Overall
Perky-Pet Red Cardinal Wild Bird Feeder, 2.5 lb Seed Capacity
  • 2.5 LB CAPACITY: Holding up to 2.5 lbs of black oil sunflower seeds, this feeder attracts cardinals, finches, and chickadees to your backyard bird feeding station for hours of delightful bird watching entertainment and wildlife observation experiences
  • MADE FOR REPEAT USE: Constructed with an all-metal design and rust-resistant powder coat finish, this wild bird feeder withstands outdoor elements while providing years of reliable service for your backyard birding adventures and outdoor bird feeder needs
  • ACCOMODATES MANY BIRDS: Hold up to 15 birds simultaneously as the circular 360-degree seed tray creates a large feeding area for both clinging and perching species, giving them enough room to feed comfortably year-round
  • SAVE SPACE: The collapsible design allows for convenient space-saving storage when not in use, making this feeder ideal for seasonal bird lovers and those with limited storage space in garages or sheds when not in use
  • HANG ANYWHERE: Installed with a built-in hanging hook, you can set up this outdoor bird feeder anywhere around your yard, patio, or balcony, while the attractive red color attracts bird species naturally to your bird feeding station

What feeder is best for cardinals?

There is no single universal winner. Cornell identifies large tube, large hopper, platform, and ground feeders as suitable styles for cardinals. Choose one that suits your space and makes seed accessible; consider capacity, ease of cleaning, and how well it fits the rest of your yard. A large platform feeder is one option, not a requirement.

Keep the feeding area and feeder clean, and offer appropriate, fresh bird food. A feeder makes food available; whether cardinals use it depends on their presence locally and the conditions around it.

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Youvip Metal Roof Bird Feeder - Chew Proof for Outdoor Hanging Wild Bird Seeds. Bronze
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  • One-Handed Refilling Made Simple: Press the roof button and slide up to lock it in place on the steel cable. No need to remove the entire feeder, making refills quick and easy.
  • High Guardrail Seed Tray Design: Prevents seeds from falling while birds feed, reducing waste.
  • No Assembly Required – Just Unbox and Use: 360-degree perch design allows multiple birds to feed simultaneously without being limited to fixed feeding holes, providing a more comfortable and free feeding experience for your birds.This is an excellent gift choice, adding vibrant colors to your yard and enriching garden life. It brings more joy to families and children.

What plants attract cardinals?

Keep dense shrubs and vines, especially where they provide layered cover rather than leaving every edge open and uniformly trimmed. Cardinals use dense shrubby areas and tangles, and place nests in dense foliage in shrubs, vines, or trees. A brush pile may also provide shelter where it is suitable for your yard.

Fruit- and seed-bearing plants can add natural food. Cornell lists dogwood, wild grape, mulberry, blackberry, and sumac among plants whose fruits or seeds cardinals eat. These are examples from the bird’s diet, not a planting prescription for every region. Choose species that are native and appropriate to your local conditions; the Cornell Lab backyard bird habitat guide offers broader guidance on seed and shelter.

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Birdream Bird Feeders for Outdoor Hanging, Assembly Required, 1-Min Easy Setup, Classic Courtyard Design, Attracting Cardinals Chickadees Goldfinches & Sparrows - Red
  • EASY & FUN TO ASSEMBLE: This bird feeders features a charming courtyard-style design and can be assembled in just one minute. It's a simple and engaging activity that brings enjoyment to the whole family
  • DRAW MORE BIRDS WITH THE RIGHT SEEDS: Measuring 8.67 x 8.67 x 9.58 inches, this hanging bird feeders holds up to 7 pounds (2 PACK) of seeds. Sunflower and niger seeds attract cardinals, goldfinches, and chickadees, while bluebirds are drawn to insects.While insects appeal to Bluebirds
  • EFFORTLESS BIRD FEEDING: The clear panels make it easy to see when it’s time to refill, and the wide opening allows for quick and tidy refills. It’s designed to help keep the feeding area cleaner, especially in summer
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  • CONNECT WITH NATURE, NOURISH THE SOUL: Feeding birds fosters harmony with nature, bringing moments of peace and joy. Let the Birdream feeder be your gateway to a deeper connection with the world around you
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Add water and reduce hazards

Provide a birdbath, fountain, or another suitable source of water. If winters in your area regularly fall below freezing, Audubon suggests considering a heated birdbath. Keep water sources clean, and make windows visible to birds to help reduce collision risk. Audubon’s cardinal-attracting advice also recommends regular cleaning of feeders and baths.

Where practical, leave some seedheads and leaf litter rather than clearing every natural food source and shelter area. Combine these features with appropriate feeding and cover; the result depends on local range and the particular yard, not on any one product or plant.

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Audubon Park Cardinal Blend Wild Bird Food, Cardinal Bird Seed for Outside Feeders, 4-Pound Bag
  • Contains no fillers – just 100% sunflower and safflower seed
  • Black oil sunflower seeds for wholesome energy
  • Safflower is rich in oil and disliked by squirrels
  • Attracts cardinals, titmice, chickadees, finches, grosbeaks, and more
  • For use in hopper, tube, or platform feeders
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SWEETFULL Solar Bird Feeder for Outdoors Hanging, Metal Wild Bird Feeder for Cardinals Solar Garden Lantern with S Hook as Gift for Bird Lovers (2LBs Heavy Duty birdfeeders)
  • Solar Bird Feeders for garden: It is not only a bird feeder, but also a Solar garden lantern . The hollow-out design can make the remaining level of seeds easier to observe. A good choice for present
  • Sturdy Materials and Quality: Made of Sturdy metal, which is able to shade the sunlight and rain-resistant. Also can be preserved for a long period with the anti-rust coating. Polished all over the surface. Birds will be happy to use
  • Bird Feeders for Outdoors Hanging: With the convenient S pothook, you can hang it directly in the patio or beside a bird house. To fill the food or seeds for birds, please open the cap on the top. Also easy to clean: Wash directly with water
  • Wild Bird Feeders for Outside: There is a roof on the top to prevent water from entering in order to keep inside dry. The hole reserved at the bottom allows the water to outflow quickly. Birds can shelter from the rain under our wild bird feeders
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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