What Do Cardinals Eat: A Seasonal Guide

If you’ve ever filled your feeder and wondered why cardinals seem to appear one week and vanish the next, you’re not alone. That brilliant red flash isn’t just for show, cardinals are surprisingly selective eaters whose diets change with the seasons. If you’ve ever wondered what do cardinals eat, this seasonal guide breaks it all down. I found out the hard way after watching cardinals ignore my pricey “premium” bird seed mix for weeks before realizing what they actually wanted.

Here’s the deal: if you want to attract cardinals year-round, understanding what they eat is key. Their diet shifts with the seasons to meet the demands of breeding, molting, and surviving cold winters. Get it right, and these red beauties will visit daily. Get it wrong, and they’ll just fly off to a yard that does it better. 😊

Cardinal Diet Overview

Northern cardinals are primarily seed-eaters, but that’s only part of the story. Cardinal eating habits are way more complex and seasonal than most people realize. During most of the year, about 71% of their diet consists of plant material like seeds, fruits, and berries. But here’s where it gets interesting: the remaining 29% comes from insects, spiders, and other invertebrates, and that percentage swings wildly depending on the season.

According to research published in Birds of the World, Cardinals switch from 88% vegetable matter in winter to consuming significantly more insects during breeding season. This dietary flexibility is exactly why cardinals can thrive as year-round residents throughout most of the eastern United States and beyond.

Their northern cardinal feeding behavior is opportunistic and adaptable. Cardinals forage primarily on or near the ground, hopping through leaf litter and low bushes. They use their powerful, cone-shaped bills to crack open seeds that many smaller birds can’t handle. This specialized bill structure isn’t just for show, it’s a precision tool evolved specifically for crushing tough seed coats and extracting kernels.

The cardinal food preferences also vary by individual, age, and even personality. I’ve watched young birds experiment with different foods while adults stick to proven favorites. Some cardinals in my yard absolutely mob the sunflower feeders while others prefer foraging naturally on the ground. Understanding these patterns helps you provide exactly what they need when they need it most.

Spring Diet: Breeding & Nesting Season

Spring is when cardinal diet spring habits get really interesting, and it’s probably the most critical season for getting their nutrition right. Starting in March, Cardinals shift into breeding mode, and suddenly those seed-loving birds become insect-hunting machines.

During nesting and raising chicks, protein becomes absolutely essential. Male cardinals need extra energy to defend territories and court females. Females require massive amounts of nutrition to produce eggs and sit on the nest for 12-13 days straight. And once those chicks hatch? Game over. Baby cardinal food is almost exclusively insects.

According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, cardinal parents feed nestlings mostly insects, including beetles, crickets, katydids, grasshoppers, caterpillars, cicadas, flies, spiders, and even centipedes. Research shows nestling stomach contents contain 95% animal matter and only 5% vegetable matter. That’s a dramatic diet shift from winter seed-eating.

Why insects? Cardinal protein needs during breeding are enormous. Baby birds grow at an insane rate, they leave the nest in just 9-11 days after hatching. That kind of rapid muscle and feather development requires high-quality protein that only insects can provide. Seeds simply don’t cut it for growing chicks.

Here’s something most people miss: soft-bodied insects are especially important for very young nestlings. Think caterpillars, moth larvae, beetle grubs, and small spiders. These provide easily digestible protein without the tough exoskeletons that larger insects have. As chicks grow, parents introduce larger, harder-bodied insects.

Want to actually help cardinals during nesting season? Plant native plants that support insect populations. According to research by University of Delaware professor Doug Tallamy, a pair of Carolina chickadees must feed their nestlings between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars to successfully raise one clutch. Cardinals have similar requirements. Your yard needs to produce thousands of insects, and only native plants can do that. For more information on creating habitat, check out native plants for birds.

Plant native trees like oaks, which support over 500 caterpillar species, or native shrubs like dogwood and elderberry. Skip the pesticides entirely, you’re literally killing the food source that cardinals desperately need to raise their young.

Summer Diet

Cardinal diet summer combines the best of both worlds: insects are still abundant, but seeds and berries start becoming available again. This transitional period is when you’ll see the most dietary diversity in backyard cardinals.

Adult cardinals increase their seed and berry consumption during summer, but they’re still heavily supplementing with insects. Why? Because insects are still crucial for second and sometimes third broods. Cardinals typically raise 2-3 broods per year, with second nests starting in late May through July. That means the intense protein demands of raising chicks continue well into summer.

Cardinal fruits and seeds become increasingly important as summer progresses. Wild fruits like mulberries, dogwood berries, hackberries, and sumac seeds provide essential nutrition. These fruits also contain carotenoids, the pigments responsible for maintaining that brilliant red plumage in male cardinals. According to ornithologist Gary Ritchison at Eastern Kentucky University, cardinals must ingest carotenoid pigments during their fall molt to maintain vibrant red coloring.

Attracting cardinals with seed during summer works well because they’re actively seeking out diverse food sources. Black oil sunflower seeds remain a top choice, but cardinals will also consume safflower seeds, cracked corn, and various native plant seeds. I’ve found that offering multiple seed types in different feeder styles keeps cardinals coming back throughout the day.

Summer is also when cardinal food backyard variety matters most. While adults increase seed consumption, remember they’re still hunting insects constantly to feed nestlings and fledglings. Creating a biodiverse yard with flowering native plants, berry-producing shrubs, and seed-bearing perennials ensures cardinals can find everything they need without flying long distances. For specific plant recommendations, visit bird-friendly garden design.

The combination of readily available insects, ripening berries, and abundant seeds makes summer a relatively easy time for cardinals, assuming your yard provides all three food types.

Fall Diet

As summer transitions to autumn, cardinal diet fall shifts noticeably toward plant-based foods. Insect populations crash as temperatures drop and daylight decreases. Cardinals respond by focusing on cardinal fruits and cardinal berries from native plants, plus increasingly relying on seeds.

This is prime time for frugivory in cardinals. They actively seek out cardinal berries like dogwood, viburnum, sumac, wild grape, blackberry, elderberry, and holly. These fruits provide not just calories but also the carotenoids cardinals need for their upcoming fall molt. Without adequate carotenoid intake during molt, male cardinals will grow duller, less saturated red feathers that make them less attractive to potential mates come spring.

Cardinal seed preferences become more pronounced in fall. Sunflower seeds remain the gold standard, but cardinals also consume seeds from native perennials like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, asters, and goldenrod. I’ve watched cardinals work over dried flower heads systematically, extracting every single seed. This behavior peaks in late fall when other food sources dwindle.

Autumn backyard birds like cardinals are also building fat reserves for winter. They increase their overall food consumption and spend more time foraging. Peak feeding times are dawn and dusk, though cardinals will visit feeders throughout the day. I’ve noticed they’re often the first birds at my feeders in the morning and the last to leave at dusk, behavior that intensifies as winter approaches.

Fall is the perfect time to let your native perennials go to seed instead of deadheading them. Those dried flower stalks you might consider “messy” are actually essential food sources for cardinals and other common backyard birds. Leave them standing through winter. Cardinals will thank you by visiting daily to harvest seeds. Learn more about fall feeding strategies at fall bird feeding.

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Winter Diet

Cardinal diet winter is heavily plant-based by necessity. With insect populations at their lowest, cardinals rely almost exclusively on seeds and whatever berries persist through freezing temperatures. According to research data, vegetable matter comprises approximately 88% of cardinal diet during winter months.

Winter bird feeding becomes critical during this season, especially during severe weather. Deep snow can bury natural food sources, making feeders literally life-saving resources. Cardinals have expanded their range northward over the past century partly because of reliable feeding stations that help them survive harsh winters.

Cardinal sunflower seeds are the ultimate winter food. Black oil sunflower seeds specifically are perfect, they’re high in fat and protein, have thin shells that cardinals can easily crack, and provide maximum calories for minimum effort. Safflower seeds work equally well and have the bonus of deterring squirrels and aggressive blackbirds that might monopolize feeders.

Other excellent cardinal feeder tips for winter include offering cracked corn (they love it), white proso millet, and hulled sunflower seeds for easy eating in extreme cold. Research shows that cardinal digestion efficiency is 16% higher at 77°F than at 32°F, meaning they must consume substantially more food during freezing weather to extract the same nutrition. Keep feeders consistently stocked.

Best bird feeders for cardinals in winter are platform feeders or hopper feeders that allow them to perch comfortably while eating. Cardinals rarely hang upside-down like finches, they prefer stable perches. Large tray feeders work brilliantly because multiple cardinals can feed simultaneously, and dominant birds are less likely to monopolize the entire food source.

Ground feeding also works well. Cardinals naturally forage on the ground, so scattering seed directly on cleared snow or on a low platform attracts them reliably. Just keep the area clean to prevent mold and disease transmission.

One winter I watched a male cardinal aggressively defend a sunflower feeder for three solid hours during a snowstorm, chasing off every other bird. That same cardinal was back at dawn the next morning, clearly recognizing the feeder as his critical survival resource. This isn’t just food, it’s survival. For additional winter strategies, check out feeding birds in winter.

Feeding Cardinals in Your Backyard

Getting cardinal backyard feeding right comes down to understanding their preferences and providing the right setup. Cardinals aren’t complicated, but they do have specific requirements that differ from smaller songbirds.

Best bird feeders for cardinals need to accommodate their size and feeding style. Platform feeders are hands-down the top choice. Cardinals prefer to perch while eating rather than hanging or clinging, so flat, stable surfaces work perfectly. Hopper feeders with wide perches are second best. Tube feeders? Cardinals will use them if desperate, but they’re awkward and uncomfortable for these larger birds.

Ground feeding stations work brilliantly because cardinals naturally forage on or near the ground. A simple platform feeder placed low (1-2 feet off the ground) or even directly on the ground attracts cardinals immediately. Just ensure good drainage and clean it regularly to prevent mold.

Best seeds to offer are black oil sunflower seeds (the absolute favorite), safflower seeds, cracked corn, white proso millet, and hulled sunflower seeds. Groundbreaking research by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service scientist Aelred Geis conducted in the late 1970s on his Maryland farm tested 23 different seed ingredients and found that cardinals showed strong preferences for specific seed types, with black oil sunflower consistently ranking at the top.

FYI, cheap seed mixes filled with milo, wheat, and oats don’t work. Cardinals will pick through them looking for sunflower seeds and safflower, scattering the rest on the ground and wasting your money. Buy quality seed or better yet, buy single types in bulk. It’s more economical and reduces waste.

Attracting cardinals also requires thinking about placement. Cardinals prefer feeders near cover, within 10-15 feet of shrubs or trees where they can quickly escape from predators. They’re cautious birds that need a safe retreat. Feeders placed in wide-open areas might go ignored simply because cardinals feel too exposed.

Water is just as important as food. Cardinals need fresh water year-round for drinking and bathing. A simple birdbath with a fountain or dripper attracts them reliably. In winter, a heated birdbath becomes a major attraction when natural water sources freeze solid. Learn more about water features at how to attract birds to bird baths.

Backyard bird seed for cardinals should be offered consistently, especially during migration periods and winter when natural food is scarce. Cardinals are creatures of habit and will visit reliable food sources daily, often at the same times. Once you start feeding, maintain it, birds come to depend on those resources, especially during harsh weather.

Fruits & Plants Cardinals Love

Beyond feeders, native plants for cardinals provide the most sustainable, long-term food sources. These plants produce seeds, berries, and attract the insects that cardinals need year-round.

Top fruit-producing plants include dogwood (both flowering and alternate-leaf varieties), which produce lipid-rich berries that cardinals devour. Mulberry trees provide abundant fruit in early summer right when parent cardinals are feeding second broods. Serviceberry, also called Juneberry, produces sweet berries that cardinals and dozens of other bird species love.

Holly bushes (native species like American holly and winterberry) hold their berries well into winter, providing emergency food during harsh weather. Sumac species, especially staghorn sumac, produce massive seed clusters that persist through winter and feed cardinals when little else is available.

Cardinals and berries go together perfectly. Wild grape vines produce copious fruit that cardinals expertly peel, they discard the skin and consume the pulp and seeds. Elderberry shrubs provide both fruit for cardinals and support massive insect populations that feed nestlings. Blackberry and raspberry brambles offer double benefits: berries in summer and protective nesting cover.

Attracting cardinals naturally works better than feeders alone. Native plants don’t require constant refilling, don’t spread disease like dirty feeders can, and support entire ecosystems. A yard planted with native trees, shrubs, and perennials will attract more cardinals for less money and effort than relying solely on purchased seed.

Cardinal-friendly plants for seed production include native sunflowers, coneflowers (Echinacea), black-eyed Susans, asters, goldenrod, and native grasses. Let these go to seed in fall rather than cutting them back. Cardinals will spend hours working over dried seed heads, and you’ll enjoy watching their acrobatic balancing acts. For comprehensive plant lists, visit how to attract cardinals to your backyard.

The best cardinal yard combines diverse native plantings with supplemental feeding. This approach provides year-round food, nesting habitat, and supports the insect populations that make successful breeding possible.

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Foods to Avoid

Not all food is good food, and some things commonly offered at feeders can actually harm cardinals. Let’s talk about what to skip.

Bread and baked goods have zero nutritional value for cardinals and can cause serious digestive problems. They fill birds up with empty calories, preventing them from eating nutritious foods they actually need. Plus, moldy bread can produce toxins that make birds sick. Just don’t offer it.

Salted foods including salted peanuts, chips, crackers, or any processed human snacks are dangerous. Birds can’t process high sodium levels the way humans can, and excessive salt causes dehydration, kidney problems, and even death. Stick to unsalted nuts if offering peanuts.

Spoiled or moldy seed is a serious health hazard. Aflatoxins from mold can kill cardinals quickly. Check feeders regularly, especially during humid weather. If seed looks clumped, smells off, or shows visible mold, dump it immediately and clean the feeder thoroughly. Cardinal diet caution includes being vigilant about food quality.

Pesticides and herbicides aren’t food, but they contaminate the insects and plants that cardinals eat. Avoid chemical lawn and garden treatments entirely. You’ll kill the caterpillars, beetles, and spiders that cardinals need to feed their young. Unsafe foods for cardinals include any insects or plants contaminated with chemicals.

Chocolate, avocado, and onions are toxic to birds. Never offer these, even in small amounts. The compounds in these foods damage bird organs and can be fatal. Feeding cardinals tips number one: if it’s toxic to your pet dog or cat, it’s probably toxic to birds too.

Honey water instead of plain sugar water for hummingbird feeders can ferment and grow harmful bacteria. While cardinals don’t typically use hummingbird feeders, they occasionally do, so keep it simple with plain white sugar and water if offering liquid feeders.

IMO, the safest approach is sticking to high-quality commercial birdseed from reputable brands or offering whole, fresh foods like fruits and unsalted nuts. Simple is better, and birds evolved eating simple whole foods, not processed human snacks.

Conclusion

Understanding feeding northern cardinals throughout the seasonal calendar isn’t complicated, it just requires paying attention to their changing nutritional needs. Spring and summer mean protein-packed insects for raising chicks. Fall brings fruits and seeds for fueling migration and molt. Winter demands high-fat, high-calorie seeds to survive freezing temperatures.

The secret to successfully attracting and supporting backyard birds like cardinals is providing diverse food sources year-round. Plant native trees, shrubs, and perennials that produce berries, seeds, and support insect populations. Supplement with quality seed at feeders, especially during winter and breeding season. Provide fresh water consistently. Skip the pesticides entirely.

Attract cardinals by thinking like a cardinal. They need food, water, cover, and nesting sites. Deliver all four, and you’ve created cardinal paradise. Miss even one element, and they might visit occasionally but won’t become regular residents.

Seasonal bird feeding doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Let native plants do most of the work. Fill a platform feeder with black oil sunflower seeds. Install a simple birdbath. That’s honestly 90% of what cardinals need.

Last February during a brutal cold snap, I counted eight cardinals simultaneously visiting my feeders, a record for my small urban yard. It happened because I’d planted native shrubs three years earlier, maintained consistent feeding, and created the layered habitat cardinals prefer. The payoff was watching brilliant red males and warm brown females brighten the dreariest winter day.

By providing the right food each season, you can enjoy cardinals in your yard all year long. These stunning birds aren’t demanding, they just need you to understand their biology and work with it rather than against it. Start with quality sunflower seed, plant a few native berry-producing shrubs, and watch what happens. The first time a brilliant red male cardinal lands at your feeder, you’ll be hooked.

Trust me, it’s worth every penny and every minute of effort 🙂