What Do Red Birds Eat? Diet and Feeding Habits Explained

Red birds, such as cardinals, scarlet tanagers, and house finches, primarily eat seeds, fruits, and insects—making their diet diverse and adaptable depending on species and season. Understanding what do red birds eat is essential for birdwatchers and backyard enthusiasts who want to support these vibrant species. Their feeding habits vary significantly across regions and life stages, with many relying on a mix of plant-based foods and protein-rich insects during breeding season. Knowing the natural diet of red-plumaged birds not only enhances your birding experience but also helps in creating a sustainable habitat that attracts and nourishes them year-round.

Common Species of Red Birds and Their Diets

When exploring what red birds eat, it's important to recognize that 'red bird' refers to several distinct species, each with unique dietary preferences. The most commonly observed red birds in North America include the Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Purple Finch, Scarlet Tanager, and Summer Tanager. While they share bright red or reddish plumage (especially in males), their diets differ based on habitat, beak structure, and seasonal availability of food.

The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is one of the most widespread red birds in the eastern and central United States. These birds are primarily granivorous, meaning they consume large quantities of seeds. Sunflower seeds—especially black oil sunflower seeds—are a favorite at backyard feeders. In the wild, cardinals also eat grass seeds, grains, and weed seeds. During spring and summer, they supplement their diet with insects like beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers to provide protein for growing chicks.

House Finches (Haemorhous mexicanus), known for their rosy red or orange heads and breasts, thrive on a seed-heavy diet. They favor nyjer (thistle) seeds, millet, and sunflower seeds. Unlike some other red birds, House Finches rarely eat suet but will readily visit tube or platform feeders filled with small seeds. In addition to seeds, they consume buds, berries, and small fruits—particularly mulberries, blackberries, and elderberries.

Scarlet Tanagers (Piranga olivacea) have a more insectivorous diet than cardinals or finches. Found in deciduous forests, these striking red birds spend much of their time gleaning insects from tree canopies. Their diet includes moths, butterflies, beetles, wasps, and spiders. They also eat fruit, especially during migration and winter months, favoring wild grapes, dogwood berries, and serviceberries. Attracting scarlet tanagers to backyards is challenging due to their forest-dwelling nature, but planting native berry-producing shrubs can increase chances of sightings.

Seasonal Variations in Red Bird Diets

One key factor influencing what red birds eat is the changing seasons. Their nutritional needs shift throughout the year, particularly between breeding and non-breeding periods.

In spring and summer, when energy demands are high due to nesting and raising young, red birds increase their intake of insects and other invertebrates. Protein is crucial for egg production and chick development. For example, parent cardinals may make hundreds of feeding trips per day, delivering caterpillars and soft-bodied insects to their nestlings. This seasonal shift underscores why pesticide use in gardens can negatively impact red bird populations—reducing the availability of vital insect prey.

During fall and winter, when insects become scarce, red birds rely more heavily on seeds, nuts, and persistent fruits. Many species fatten up before migration or prepare for cold weather by storing energy. Backyard bird feeders play a critical role during this time, offering reliable food sources when natural supplies dwindle. Providing high-fat foods like sunflower seeds and safflower seeds supports thermoregulation and survival in colder climates.

Natural Food Sources vs. Backyard Feeders

While bird feeders are popular tools for observing red birds up close, natural food sources remain essential for long-term ecological health. A balanced approach combines feeder offerings with habitat-friendly landscaping.

In the wild, red birds forage across various layers of vegetation. Cardinals often search for food on or near the ground, flipping leaves to uncover hidden seeds or insects. Tanagers prefer the treetops, where they hunt insects among foliage. Finches move through shrubs and open woodlands, feeding on seeds from composite flowers like daisies and asters.

To mimic natural feeding behaviors in your yard:

• Plant native trees and shrubs that produce berries (e.g., dogwood, hawthorn, sumac, spicebush).
• Allow leaf litter to remain in garden beds to support insect populations.
• Include coneflowers, sunflowers, and goldenrod to provide late-season seed sources.
• Avoid chemical pesticides that reduce insect availability.

At feeders, the best foods for attracting red birds include:

• Black oil sunflower seeds: High in fat and easy to crack, ideal for cardinals and finches.
• Safflower seeds: Less appealing to squirrels and grackles, but loved by cardinals.
• Nyjer (thistle) seeds: Small and oily, perfect for finches.
• Fruit slices: Oranges, apples, and grapes can attract tanagers and orioles.
• Mixed seed blends: Choose mixes heavy in sunflower and milo, avoiding fillers like wheat or cracked corn that many birds ignore.

Red Bird Species	Primary Diet	Favorite Feeder Foods	Best Habitat Features
Northern Cardinal	Seeds, insects, fruits	Black oil sunflower, safflower	Dense shrubs, brush piles, platform feeders
House Finch	Seeds, buds, berries	Nyjer, millet, sunflower	Urban gardens, hanging feeders
Scarlet Tanager	Insects, forest fruits	Rarely visits feeders	Mature deciduous forests
Summer Tanager	Insects (especially bees/wasps)	Fruit, nectar	Pine-oak woodlands
Purple Finch	Seeds, buds, insects	Black oil sunflower, nyjer	Coniferous edges, mixed forests

Myths and Misconceptions About Red Bird Diets

Several myths persist about what red birds eat, often leading to ineffective or even harmful feeding practices.

Myth 1: All red birds love bread.
False. Bread offers little nutritional value and can lead to malnutrition or digestive issues in birds. Moldy bread is especially dangerous. Instead of bread, offer appropriate seeds or fresh fruit.

Myth 2: Red birds only eat red-colored foods.
No scientific basis exists for this idea. While some people believe red birds are attracted to red foods, their color vision doesn’t dictate dietary choices. They select food based on texture, smell, and familiarity—not hue.

Myth 3: Feeding birds year-round makes them dependent.
Research shows that most wild birds use feeders as supplemental food sources. They still forage naturally and won’t starve if feeders are removed. However, consistency during winter months is beneficial.

How to Attract Red Birds to Your Yard

If you're wondering what red birds eat in order to attract them, consider both food and environment. A successful strategy involves three components: nutrition, shelter, and water.

Food: Offer a variety of feeder types and foods. Use hopper or platform feeders for cardinals, tube feeders with small ports for finches, and fruit feeders for tanagers. Rotate offerings seasonally—for example, add mealworms or fruit in spring, switch to high-fat seeds in winter.

Shelter: Red birds need safe places to rest and hide from predators. Plant dense evergreen shrubs like juniper or arborvitae. Maintain brush piles or leave dead trees (if safe) to provide nesting sites and insect foraging areas.

Water: A clean birdbath with shallow water (no deeper than 2–3 inches) encourages drinking and bathing. Add a dripper or fountain to attract birds with the sound of moving water.

Additionally, avoid using reflective window decals or placing feeders too close to glass to prevent collisions—a common cause of injury and death in songbirds.

Geographic Differences in Red Bird Diets

Dietary patterns of red birds also vary by region. In the southeastern U.S., where winters are mild and insects remain active longer, red birds may continue eating more animal protein into fall. In contrast, northern populations must adapt quickly to seed-based diets once cold weather arrives.

In western states, introduced species like the House Finch have adapted to urban environments, feeding heavily on ornamental plant seeds and human-provided food. Meanwhile, in the Appalachian region, Scarlet Tanagers depend on healthy forest ecosystems rich in canopy-dwelling insects and native fruiting trees.

Birders in different areas should research local species and adjust feeding strategies accordingly. Consulting regional field guides or joining local Audubon chapters can provide tailored advice on supporting native red birds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do baby red birds eat?
Nestlings are fed regurgitated insects and soft invertebrates by their parents. As they grow, they gradually transition to seeds and fruits.

Do red birds eat suet?
Some do—especially during winter. While cardinals and finches may nibble suet, woodpeckers and nuthatches are more typical suet-eaters. Offering no-melt suet cakes can attract a wider variety of birds.

Can I feed red birds oranges?
Yes. Halved oranges placed on a platform or specialized oriole feeder can attract Summer Tanagers and other fruit-eating species.

Why aren't red birds coming to my feeder?
Possible reasons include lack of cover, presence of predators (like cats), unappealing seed types, or recent environmental changes. Try switching to black oil sunflower seeds and adding nearby shrubs for protection.

Are red birds vegetarian?
No. While seeds and fruits form a major part of their diet, most red birds consume insects, especially during breeding season. They are omnivorous, not strictly herbivorous.