7 Best Bird Seed Blends For Attracting Cardinals Old-Timers Swear By
Discover 7 time-tested seed blends for attracting cardinals. Learn why seasoned birders favor mixes rich in black oil sunflower and safflower seeds.
There’s nothing quite like seeing that flash of brilliant red against a snowy backdrop on a quiet winter morning. For many of us, attracting Northern Cardinals isn’t just a pastime; it’s a sign that our little patch of land is a healthy, welcoming place. But getting them to stick around means offering them the right food, and not all bird seed is created equal.
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What Cardinals Crave: Key Seeds for a Redbird
Cardinals are members of the grosbeak family, and that tells you everything you need to know about their diet. They have thick, powerful, cone-shaped beaks designed for one thing: cracking open tough shells to get at the nutritious kernel inside. This is why they ignore many of the tiny seeds found in cheap, general-purpose bird mixes.
To bring them in, you have to give them what their beaks are built for. The undisputed king is black oil sunflower seed. Its thin shell is easy to crack, and the seed inside is packed with the high-fat content birds need for energy, especially in cold weather. Right behind it is safflower seed, a white, hard-shelled seed that cardinals love but, conveniently, most squirrels and grackles find bitter and unpleasant.
You’ll also see cracked corn in many blends. Cardinals will eat it, especially when it’s scattered on the ground, but it’s more of a budget-friendly filler. The key to a good cardinal blend is a high ratio of sunflower and safflower seeds. If you see a bag full of red milo or wheat, leave it on the shelf; the cardinals will just kick it to the ground.
Wagner’s Cardinal Blend: A Time-Tested Classic
You’ll find Wagner’s in nearly every feed and hardware store, and for good reason. It’s a straightforward, reliable blend that focuses on what works without any fancy, expensive additions. This is the workhorse of cardinal feeds.
The formula is simple and effective: a heavy dose of black oil sunflower seeds mixed with a healthy portion of safflower. This one-two punch provides the high-energy food cardinals seek while the safflower helps discourage some of the less-desirable visitors. It’s a balanced approach that has proven itself year after year.
Think of this as your foundational mix. It’s priced reasonably, the quality is consistent, and it delivers results. You won’t just get cardinals; the high sunflower content will also draw in chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches, creating a busy and diverse feeding station.
Kaytee Cardinal Blend: High Sunflower Content
Kaytee often leans heavily on the single most popular ingredient: black oil sunflower. Their cardinal blend is no exception, boasting a particularly high percentage of this favorite seed. If you want to roll out the red carpet for cardinals and don’t mind attracting a crowd, this is a fantastic choice.
The high concentration of sunflower seeds makes this blend an energy powerhouse. This is especially valuable during the harsh winter months or in early spring when birds are nesting and need every calorie they can get. The immediate appeal is undeniable; birds will find and flock to a feeder filled with this mix very quickly.
The tradeoff, of course, is that everyone loves sunflower seeds. A feeder full of Kaytee Cardinal Blend can become a free-for-all, attracting squirrels, sparrows, and other birds that might out-compete the cardinals. You’ll go through this seed faster, but for pure, high-octane attraction, it’s hard to beat.
Wild Delight Cardinal Food: No-Mess Formula
If your feeder is hanging over a deck, patio, or a well-kept part of your yard, you know the mess that discarded hulls can create. Wild Delight’s "no-mess" or "no-waste" formulas solve this problem directly. The blend consists of seeds that have already had their shells removed, like sunflower hearts and shelled peanuts.
The primary benefit is cleanliness. With no hulls to drop, the ground beneath your feeder stays tidy. A secondary advantage is that the food is 100% edible and immediately accessible, which can be helpful for birds with less powerful beaks and saves all birds the energy of cracking shells.
However, this convenience comes with two main considerations. First, no-mess blends are significantly more expensive per pound because you’re paying for the shelled product. Second, without their protective shells, the seeds are more vulnerable to spoilage from rain and humidity. You absolutely need a feeder that drains well and protects the seed from the elements, otherwise you’ll be throwing away clumps of moldy, expensive seed.
Audubon Park Cardinal Blend with Safflower
This blend is for the person in a constant battle with the squirrels and grackles. While many mixes include safflower, Audubon Park often makes it a star player. This is a strategic choice for managing your feeding stations.
Safflower is the key. Cardinals and other desirable birds like grosbeaks and finches readily eat it, but its bitter taste is a powerful deterrent for many feeder pests. If you have one feeder that gets raided constantly, switching to a safflower-heavy blend like this can be a game-changer. The squirrels will take one bite and move on.
Be prepared for a short adjustment period. If your local birds are used to a sunflower buffet, they might be hesitant to try the new white seeds at first. Stick with it. Once they figure it out, you’ll have a feeder that is much more likely to be dominated by the bright red birds you wanted in the first place.
Lyric Cardinal Mix: A Premium Fruit & Nut Blend
Lyric Cardinal Mix is the gourmet option. This is what you put out when you want to offer a truly top-tier meal that goes beyond the basics. It’s less of a daily feed and more of a special treat that turns your feeder into a five-star restaurant.
Alongside the essential black oil sunflower and safflower, this blend is packed with premium ingredients. You’ll find shelled peanuts, sunflower kernels, dried cherries, and other fruits and nuts. This variety not only delights the cardinals but also provides a wider range of nutrients.
The diverse ingredients list has the added benefit of attracting a more diverse group of birds. Woodpeckers and nuthatches will come for the nuts, while mockingbirds and even bluebirds might be tempted by the fruit pieces. The clear downside is the price; this is one of the more expensive blends on the market. Use it in a single, easily-viewed feeder where you can enjoy the show.
Pennington Black Oil Sunflower: The Gold Standard
Sometimes, the best "blend" isn’t a blend at all. Pure, unadulterated black oil sunflower seed is the gold standard for a reason. It is, without a doubt, the single most effective seed for attracting the widest variety of songbirds, with cardinals at the top of the list.
Its power lies in its perfect design: a thin, easy-to-crack shell and a kernel packed with high-energy oil. If you are starting from scratch and don’t know what to buy, a bag of black oil sunflower seed is the most reliable investment you can make. You simply cannot go wrong with it.
The real value of buying it straight is versatility. You can serve it as-is, or you can become your own master blender. Mix it 50/50 with safflower to create a custom squirrel-resistant blend. Add a scoop to a cheaper mix to increase its appeal. Having a dedicated supply of black oil sunflower gives you control over your feeding strategy.
Valley Splendor Cardinal Mix: Best for Bulk Buys
For those of us running multiple feeders or living in an area with a large bird population, the cost of seed can add up quickly. This is where bulk buying a solid, no-frills mix like Valley Splendor comes in. It’s the practical, economical choice for the long haul.
These mixes, typically sold in 40 or 50-pound bags at feed stores or farm suppliers, prioritize value. The ingredient list will be short and effective: black oil sunflower, safflower, and maybe some cracked corn. They skip the expensive nuts and fruits to keep the price per pound as low as possible.
The key to making bulk buys work is proper storage. A 50-pound bag of seed left open in a damp shed is an invitation for mold, insects, and rodents. You must invest in a galvanized steel trash can or a similar rodent-proof container with a tight-fitting lid. This protects your investment and ensures your birds get fresh, safe seed all season long.
Ultimately, the perfect cardinal blend depends on your specific situation—your budget, your tolerance for feeder pests, and how much mess you’re willing to clean up. The best approach is to start with a solid foundation of black oil sunflower and safflower, then observe what happens in your own backyard. Pay attention to what the birds eat and what they throw away, and you’ll soon find the simple, rewarding rhythm of keeping your feeders full and your cardinals happy.
