Will Sparrows Eat Safflower Seeds? Sparrows are known to be adaptable and curious feeders, often eating a variety of seeds found in bird feeders and gardens. However, when it comes to safflower seeds, their preference is quite limited. Most sparrows do not particularly favor safflower seeds due to their hard shells and slightly bitter taste. This makes safflower an excellent choice for those who want to attract cardinals, chickadees, and titmice while discouraging sparrows and other aggressive feeder birds.