Best Bird Feeders for Cardinals: What Actually Works

The best feeders for cardinals are wide, open ones: platform trays, hanging trays, or roomy hoppers. These birds are heavy-bodied and prefer a flat spot to stand, so tiny tube feeders with small perches rarely suit them.

At a Glance

• Pick a tray or platform feeder with room to land. A tube feeder only works if it has a cardinal ring.
• Fill it with black oil sunflower seed. Safflower is a good swap if squirrels, grackles, or starlings crowd the feeder.
• Choose a feeder with a rain cover or drainage so seed stays dry.
• Put it about 5 to 10 feet from shrubs or trees, so cardinals have cover close by.
• Be patient. New feeders can take time to be noticed.

Quick answer: the best feeders for cardinals

For most yards, start with the Kingsyard Large Platform Bird Feeder with Rain Cover. It gives cardinals a big, flat place to eat, and the cover keeps weather off.

Want a hanging option? The Wild Wings WWCF23 Rot Resistant Cedar Hanging Tray Bird Feeder is a classic. If you like a cardinal theme, the Perky-Pet Red Cardinal Wild Bird Feeder is a budget pick with a wide tray.

The feeder is only half the job. Food and a nearby shrub matter just as much.

What actually matters when choosing a cardinal feeder

You can judge almost any feeder with these checks:

• Perch and landing space: Cardinals are big for songbirds. They need room to land and sit comfortably.
• Feeding surface: Open trays and platforms suit them. Small tube feeders often favor smaller finches.
• Weather protection: A roof or rain cover keeps seed dry and helps prevent mold.
• Drainage: Drain holes or a mesh floor stop seed from sitting in water.
• Squirrel resistance: If squirrels already visit, look at weight-activated or caged designs.
• Cleaning access: Removable trays and wide openings make regular cleaning much easier.

One feeder guide also notes that metal or recycled plastic resists chewing and weather better than plastic-only designs.

The main types of cardinal feeders

Platform feeders

These are flat, open trays. They take many seed types and suit birds that like to stand and eat. They're easy to fill and clean, but without a cover they're exposed to rain and squirrels.

Hopper and open-hopper feeders

A hopper has a seed reservoir with a wide opening. It holds more seed and gives cardinals a more sheltered place to eat.

Hanging tray feeders

These are cedar or similar trays hung from a hook. They're easy to see and hold plenty of seed. You'll need a sturdy hanger.

Squirrel-resistant feeders

These close or cage the feeding area when something heavy lands. They cost more, but they cut down on wasted seed.

Cardinal-specific designs

Some feeders are shaped or labeled for cardinals. Check the perch and opening, not just the decoration.

Recommended feeders by use case

Quick picks, strongest overall first:

• Best overall: Kingsyard Large Platform Bird Feeder with Rain Cover. Choose it if you want a large platform with a cover on a budget.
• Best for squirrel-heavy yards: Squirrel Buster Plus Wild Bird Feeder with Cardinal Ring. Choose it if squirrels keep winning and you want a tube feeder with a cardinal-friendly perch. Mid-range.
• Best for squirrels with a tray-style feel: Woodlink Absolute II. Choose it if you want a durable hopper with large seed capacity. Mid-range.
• Best for hanging: Wild Wings WWCF23 Rot Resistant Cedar Hanging Tray Bird Feeder. Choose it if you want a classic hanging tray. Mid-range.
• Best for a natural wood look: Nature's Way CWF3 Cedar Platform Feeder. Choose it if you want an easy-to-clean cedar platform on a budget.
• Best cardinal-themed style: Perky-Pet Red Cardinal Wild Bird Feeder. Choose it if you want a decorative red hopper with a wide tray on a budget.

How to choose between close options: if squirrels aren't a problem, stick with a tray. The Kingsyard has the cover built in, while the cedar trays need an added dome in wet weather. If squirrels are a daily issue, pick between the Squirrel Buster Plus and the Woodlink Absolute II.

The Absolute II's weight mechanism can also cut off heavier birds, so watch how your cardinals handle it.

1. Kingsyard Large Platform Bird Feeder with Rain Cover

Best for: Yards where cardinals should stand flat and eat in the open, with rain protection

Suits yards where cardinals should stand flat and eat in the open with rain protection. The mesh floor lets rain drain so seed stays dry, though an open tray still lets rain reach birds in wet climates.

What we like:

• Reviewers call it a top overall pick for cardinals
• Good all-round tray for mixed feeding

Keep in mind:

• An open tray still lets rain reach the birds, so pair it with a covered design in wet climates
• Recycled plastic is not as traditional-looking as cedar

Check price on Amazon

2. Nature's Way CWF3 Cedar Platform Feeder

Best for: Easy-to-clean setup for larger birds like cardinals and jays

Suits owners who want an easy-to-clean platform for larger birds like cardinals and jays. Cedar resists insects and rot, and the removable mesh tray drains well, but it holds less seed than hoppers.

What we like:

• Reviewers liked its large dimensions and deep tray
• Mesh bottom helps prevent mold and mildew

Keep in mind:

• Smaller capacity than hopper feeders, so it needs more frequent refills
• Wood needs more care over time than metal or recycled plastic

Check price on Amazon

3. Woodlink Absolute II

Best for: Yards with squirrel problems that still want cardinals to feed comfortably

Suits yards with squirrel problems that still want cardinals to feed comfortably. The weight-activated hopper closes to heavier squirrels, but check it with your own birds since heavier birds can also be cut off.

What we like:

• Multiple sources name it the top choice for squirrel-prone yards
• Cardinals are reported to use it regularly

Keep in mind:

• Heavier birds can also be cut off by the weight mechanism, so check it with your own birds
• Costs more than basic platform or tray feeders

Check price on Amazon

4. Squirrel Buster Plus Wild Bird Feeder with Cardinal Ring

Best for: Squirrel-heavy yards that want a tube feeder with a perch designed for cardinals

Suits squirrel-heavy yards that want a tube feeder with a perch designed for cardinals. The cardinal ring gives a stable place to stand, and the tube is less comfortable for cardinals without it.

What we like:

• Widely recommended as a squirrel-proof option
• Cardinal ring gives a stable place to stand

Keep in mind:

• Tube feeders are less comfortable for cardinals than open trays unless they have the cardinal ring
• Heavier and pricier than basic feeders

Check price on Amazon

5. Perky-Pet Red Cardinal Wild Bird Feeder

Best for: Budget buyers who want a cardinal-themed hopper with a wide feeding tray

Suits buyers who want a cardinal-themed hopper with a wide feeding tray. The 360-degree tray suits large birds, but plastic parts may wear faster than metal in harsh weather.

What we like:

• Guides rank it as a budget pick
• Wide tray suits large birds

Keep in mind:

• Plastic parts may wear faster than metal in harsh weather
• Less squirrel resistance than the Absolute II

Check price on Amazon

6. Wild Wings WWCF23 Rot Resistant Cedar Hanging Tray Bird Feeder

Best for: Homeowners who want a classic hanging tray sized for cardinals and jays

Suits homeowners who want a classic hanging tray sized for cardinals and jays. It is easy to fill and clean, but the open top exposes seed to rain unless you add a dome.

What we like:

• Easy to fill and clean
• Reviewers rank it best overall among cedar platform feeders

Keep in mind:

• Open top means seed is exposed to rain without an added dome
• Cedar is less durable than metal in heavy weather

Check price on Amazon

Skip it if:

• Kingsyard: you want a traditional wood look, or you live somewhere very wet and want full roof coverage.
• Nature's Way CWF3: you hate frequent refills. Its capacity is smaller than a hopper's.
• Woodlink Absolute II: you want the cheapest option, or your cardinals struggle with the weight mechanism.
• Squirrel Buster Plus: you have no squirrel problem and would rather have a simple tray.
• Perky-Pet: you face harsh weather. The plastic parts may wear faster than metal.
• Wild Wings WWCF23: you won't add a dome. The open top lets rain reach the seed.

Common mistakes that keep cardinals away

• Buying a feeder that's too small or has tiny perches. Cardinals tend to avoid them.
• Using cheap mixed seed packed with filler like milo, which cardinals often ignore.
• Leaving seed unprotected from rain, which leads to wet, moldy food.
• Placing the feeder in open ground with no cover nearby. Birds feel exposed.
• Skipping cleaning, which can spread disease among visiting birds.
• Expecting results in a day. Give birds time to find it.

Tip: Start with one tray and black oil sunflower seed. Add extras only after you see who shows up.

Related Guides

• Best Bird Feeders for Blue Jays: What Actually Works
• Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders for Backyard Birds
• Glass vs Plastic Hummingbird Feeders: Which One to Buy

Frequently Asked Questions

What seed do cardinals like best?

Black oil sunflower is the most-recommended seed for cardinals. Safflower is a good option if squirrels, grackles, or starlings are a problem.

Do cardinals prefer platform or hanging feeders?

They like wide, flat perches, so either works as long as it's a tray. A platform or hanging tray beats a small-port tube feeder. Hanging trays need a sturdy hanger, while platforms are easy to reach.

How do I keep squirrels away from a cardinal feeder?

Use a weight-activated or caged feeder, such as the Woodlink Absolute II or the Squirrel Buster Plus. Safflower can also help, since many squirrels are less keen on it. Test any weight-based feeder with your own birds.

Where should I place a feeder to attract cardinals?

Put it about 5 to 10 feet from shrubs or trees. That gives cardinals quick cover without giving predators a hiding spot too close. Avoid wide-open ground.

How often should I clean my bird feeder?

Clean it regularly, and sooner if seed gets wet or moldy. Removable trays and wide openings make this much easier. A dirty feeder can spread disease, so don't put it off.

Bottom line

For most yards, the Kingsyard Large Platform Bird Feeder with Rain Cover is the easiest place to start. Pick a hanging cedar tray if you like that look, or a squirrel-resistant model if squirrels keep emptying the seed. Add black oil sunflower and a nearby shrub, then wait.