Have you ever watched a bright red Northern Cardinal or a brilliant blue Blue Jay visit your backyard feeder? These stunning birds bring so much color and life to any outdoor space. But getting them to stay can be tricky! Many bird lovers find themselves scratching their heads, wondering why their feeders stay empty, even when they put out seed. It’s frustrating when you want to enjoy these magnificent visitors but don’t know exactly what they crave.
Choosing the perfect bird seed is crucial. Not all mixes are created equal, and the wrong food might attract squirrels or simply be ignored by cardinals and jays. You want to provide a feast that keeps these beautiful, energetic birds coming back day after day. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will show you exactly which seeds are the champions for attracting and keeping both Cardinals and Blue Jays happy at your feeder.
Keep reading to unlock the secrets to a bird buffet these two popular species simply cannot resist. By the end, you will know exactly what to buy for maximum bird traffic!
Top Bird Seed For Cardinals And Blue Jays Recommendations
- PREMIUM WILD BIRD FOOD BLEND ideal for attracting a variety of colorful songbirds to your backyard and keep them coming back for more.
- HIGH IN ENERGY AND NUTRITION that will keep wild birds visiting your feeder frequently and staying for longer.
- CONTAINS INGREDIENTS WILD BIRDS LOVE such as sunflower seeds, peanuts, mixed feed nuts, raisins, cherries and more.
- SPECIALLY BLENDED TO APPEAL TO A VARIETY OF BIRDS like Cardinals, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Grosbeaks, Juncos, Woodpeckers and more!
- CAREFULLY CRAFTED & TRUSTED by experts for over 150 years, Kaytee is the bird lover’s bird food.
- 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
- FORMULATED BY BIRD ENTHUSIASTS to attract a variety of colorful songbirds like Cardinals, Woodpeckers, Blue Jays and Finches to your backyard
- MADE WITH Safflower, Peanuts, Striped Sunflower and Millet
- CONTAINS A HEALTHY BLEND of sunflower seeds, safflower seeds and peanuts – a great source of protein, fat, and fiber
- ATTRACT MORE SONGBIRDS by placing a feeder near trees and a water source
- CAREFULLY CRAFTED IN THE USA & trusted by experts for over 150 years, Kaytee is the bird lover’s bird food
- Blend of Wild Birds' favorite seeds and grains
- Packaged at one of five manufacturing facilities located throughout the USA
- Rich with black oil sunflower
- A value priced mix that attracts a wide variety of backyard birds
- Contains general purpose seeds including sunflower
- Use in Hopper or Tube Feeders
- Highest quality grains used in blending
- Made in the USA
- No Mess Bird Feeding: Enjoy cleaner lawns, flowerbeds, and patios with this completely shell-free blend that won't leave a trace under feeders.
- Attracts a Wide Variety of Fruit and Nut Loving Birds: Lure beautiful songbirds to your yard with luxury fruits and nuts like cherries and pistachios
- 0% Waste, 100% Edible: Give birds more of the rich seed meat they seek and none of the seed hulls they would toss out. More food for them, less mess for you!
- Fun for All: Hulled sunflower seeds are like an open invitation to wild birds, big or small. With no shells in the way, everyone can join the feast, and you'll have a more diverse mix of bird visitors.
- Easy for Birds to Eat: With shell-free sunflower seeds and assorted nuts, birds don't need to work hard for their food. They get a tasty, high energy meal without any extra effort, which keeps them happy and well-fed.
- No Mess Bird Feeding: Enjoy cleaner lawns, flowerbeds, and patios with this completely shell-free blend that won't leave a trace under feeders
- Attracts a Wide Variety of Birds: Cardinals, finches, indigo buntings, nuthatches, and other songbirds will flock to this quality blend of bird seed
- 0% Waste, 100% Edible: Give birds more of the rich seed meat they seek and none of the seed hulls they would toss out; more food for them, less mess for you
- Fun for All: Hulled sunflower seeds are like an open invitation to wild birds, big or small; with no shells in the way, everyone can join the feast, and you'll have a more diverse mix of bird visitors
- Birds Love the Convenience: With shell-free sunflower seeds and peanuts, birds don't need to work hard for their food; they get a tasty, high energy meal without any extra effort, which keeps them happy and well-fed
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Fueling Your Feathered Friends
Cardinals and Blue Jays are vibrant, familiar visitors to many backyards. To keep these beautiful birds coming back, you need the right food. This guide helps you choose the best bird seed mix specifically for them.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop, look for these important features on the bag. These details tell you if the seed is exactly what Cardinals and Blue Jays love.
- **High Sunflower Content:** Both birds strongly prefer sunflower seeds. Look for mixes where sunflower seeds are the first ingredient listed.
- **Whole or Cracked Corn:** Blue Jays love corn. Cardinals will eat cracked corn, especially in winter.
- **Safflower Seeds:** Cardinals love safflower seeds. They offer good nutrition, and many squirrels and blackbirds dislike them.
- **Minimal Fillers:** Avoid mixes packed with cheap fillers like milo or red millet. Cardinals and Blue Jays often toss these seeds onto the ground.
Important Materials: What’s Inside Matters
The ingredients determine how much birds actually eat. Think of seed quality like choosing your own healthy snacks.
The Best Stuff (Must-Haves):
- **Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (BOSS):** These have thin shells, making them easy for small birds to crack open. They are very high in fat and energy.
- **Striped Sunflower Seeds:** These are larger and harder to crack, but Blue Jays enjoy them very much.
The Okay Stuff (Good Additions):
- **Peanuts (Shelled or Chopped):** Both birds readily eat peanuts. They provide excellent protein, especially when the weather is cold.
- **White Proso Millet:** While Cardinals don’t often eat this from feeders, Blue Jays might pick through it. It is better than red millet.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Good quality seed means less waste under your feeder. Poor quality seed can even cause health problems.
What Makes Seed Better:
- Freshness: Look for a “packed on” date. Fresh seed smells earthy. Old seed smells dusty or musty.
- Whole Seeds: Whole seeds stay fresh longer than cracked seeds.
- No Dust or Debris: High-quality seed should look clean. Excessive dust means the seed is old or poorly handled.
What Reduces Quality (Watch Outs):
- Excessive Milo (Sorghum): If you see lots of small, reddish-brown round seeds, the mix is probably cheap. Cardinals ignore these.
- Mold or Clumping: Never buy seed that feels damp or looks clumped together. This indicates moisture and potential mold growth, which harms birds.
User Experience and Use Cases
Choosing the right seed directly impacts your backyard bird-watching experience.
Feeder Types:
- Hopper Feeders: These feeders protect seed from rain and snow. They work well for mixes heavy in sunflower seeds.
- Platform Feeders: Cardinals prefer to sit on flat surfaces rather than cling to small perches. Platform feeders attract them easily. Blue Jays also love these large surfaces.
- Ground Feeding: Both birds sometimes eat seeds scattered on the ground or on a clean tray. If you use cracked corn, you must clean the ground area often to prevent mold.
Seasonal Needs: In the deep winter, increase the amount of high-fat foods like black oil sunflower seeds and shelled peanuts. Birds burn more energy staying warm.
10 FAQ About Bird Seed for Cardinals and Blue Jays
Q: Can I just feed Cardinals and Blue Jays sunflower seeds?
A: Yes, you can! Sunflower seeds are the absolute favorite food for both species. It is the best way to guarantee they visit your feeder.
Q: Do Blue Jays eat the same seed as Cardinals?
A: Mostly, yes. Both love sunflower seeds. Blue Jays also enjoy peanuts and whole or cracked corn, which Cardinals will eat too.
Q: Why do Cardinals ignore the cheap red seeds in a mix?
A: Those red seeds are usually milo (sorghum). Cardinals prefer the higher energy, oil-rich seeds like sunflower. They often kick the milo out of the feeder.
Q: Is safflower seed a good idea for Blue Jays?
A: Blue Jays can eat safflower, but they often prefer sunflower or peanuts. Safflower is great because squirrels and starlings usually leave it alone, which leaves more food for the Cardinals.
Q: How often should I clean my feeder if I use these seeds?
A: You should clean your feeders thoroughly every two weeks, especially if you feed corn. Wet seed or droppings can spread disease.
Q: Should I buy shelled or unshelled sunflower seeds?
A: Black oil sunflower seeds should be unshelled for easy eating. If you buy shelled (no shell) sunflower hearts, you get zero waste, but they cost more.
Q: Will feeding them cracked corn attract squirrels?
A: Cracked corn attracts squirrels very easily. If squirrels are a problem, limit the corn or use a platform feeder with a weight-activated perch that closes under a squirrel’s weight.
Q: What is the best way to attract Cardinals first?
A: Cardinals are shy. Place a platform feeder or a tray feeder near some protective cover, like a dense shrub or tree, about 10-15 feet away from the cover.
Q: How do I know if the seed I bought is fresh?
A: Fresh bird seed smells like grain or nuts. If it smells stale, dusty, or moldy, the quality is low, and the birds will avoid it.
Q: Should I buy mixed seed or single-ingredient seed?
A: For Cardinals and Blue Jays, buying a bag of just Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (BOSS) is often the best choice. This guarantees you do not waste money on fillers they will throw away.