Cardinals are beautiful red birds found throughout North America. They are known for their bright red plumage and singing voices. One of the most common questions people have about cardinals is where they usually build their nests.
Cardinal Nesting Habits
Cardinals typically build their nests in trees, shrubs, or dense vegetation. They prefer sites that provide good cover from predators and shelter from the elements. Ideal nesting spots include:
- Evergreen trees like spruce, pine, fir, and juniper
- Bushes and shrubs like honeysuckle, rose, hydrangea, and pyracantha
- Vines growing on fences or trellises
- Briar patches and dense thickets
- Ornamental trees like Bradford pear, willow, and magnolia
Cardinals build nests 3-10 feet off the ground. They often construct nests on horizontal branches or in the fork of a branch. Dense foliage above the nest helps provide shelter. Cardinals may also nest in cavities or old woodpecker holes when natural sites are limited.
Nest Construction
The female cardinal builds the nest while the male guards the territory and brings food. Cardinals build a cup-shaped nest approximately 3 inches across and 2 inches deep. Nests are constructed from twigs, leaves, bark strips, stems, and grasses. These materials are woven together and lined with softer grass, hair, and feathers.
Cardinals may occasionally reuse a nest from the previous year. However, they typically build a new nest each spring. It takes 3-9 days to build a nest. The nests are remarkably sturdy structures thanks to the tight weaving. Yet they often remain well camouflaged in the vegetation.
Ideal Nesting Sites
When selecting a nest site, cardinals look for certain characteristics:
- Concealment – Dense foliage and branches help hide the nest from predators like hawks, crows, squirrels, and snakes.
- Shelter – Nests are built in protected spots that offer cover from wind, rain, and storms.
- Proximity to water – Cardinals favor nesting sites near a water source like a stream, pond, or bird bath.
- Access to food – Abundant seeds, berries, and insects are key when feeding nestlings.
- Structural support – Stable branches or structures are needed to securely anchor the nest.
- Sun exposure – Cardinals often choose sites with southern or eastern sun exposure to keep the nest warm.
By selecting sites that meet these criteria, cardinals improve their nesting success and increase the chance of raising healthy chicks.
Backyard Nesting
There are several ways to encourage cardinals to nest in your backyard:
- Plant native trees, shrubs, and vines that cardinals use for nest building.
- Avoid pruning vegetation in spring to provide good nesting cover.
- Set up a nesting platform or nest box just for cardinals.
- Provide a water source like a birdbath or fountain.
- Landscape with berry producing plants.
- Use native plants to attract insect prey.
- Limit use of pesticides which reduce food sources.
- Install nest cam to observe activity (but keep distance to avoid disturbing them).
With a little encouragement, you may be rewarded with the chance to host a cardinal nest on your property!
Nesting Timeline
Cardinals follow a predictable nesting pattern each year:
Season | Activity |
---|---|
Late winter | Males start establishing breeding territories and attracting mates. |
Early spring | Females build nests in March/April. |
Spring | First brood is raised, with eggs hatching after 12-13 days. |
Summer | Second or sometimes third brood is raised. |
Fall | Nesting activity ends by late September. |
This cycle repeats every year. The number of broods depends on geography, weather, and food availability. Cardinals living in warmer southern climates may raise 4-5 broods per year.
Interesting Facts
- Both the male and female cardinals help build the nest. The female does the bulk of the construction.
- Cardinals are territorial and will aggressively defend the area around their nest.
- The male cardinal feeds the female while she incubates the eggs and cares for hatchlings.
- Newly hatched cardinals are helpless, with eyes closed and a sparse coat of gray down feathers.
- Parents continue to care for juvenile cardinals for 2-3 weeks after they leave the nest.
- Male and female cardinals take turns brooding eggs/young, allowing each to take breaks and search for food.
Threats to Nests
Cardinal nests face threats from both weather and predators. Common causes of nest failures include:
- Severe storms like hail, high winds, and heavy rain
- Predation by snakes, raccoons, squirrels, and chipmunks
- Brood parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds
- Nest abandonment due to human disturbance
- Temperature extremes in weather
- Limited food availability
- Competition with invasive bird species like house sparrows and European starlings
Despite these challenges, cardinals persist thanks to their resilience. They may re-nest multiple times in a season until they are successful. By taking active steps to support cardinals, we can help their populations thrive.
Conclusion
Cardinals are admired backyard birds that bring color and song to our gardens and neighborhoods. Understanding their nesting ecology allows us to support these beautiful songbirds. Cardinals typically build nests in trees or dense shrubs, favoring well-concealed sites close to food and water. With native plantings and nest boxes, you may be able to attract a cardinal pair to nest on your own property. Watching the nesting process unfold is a rewarding wildlife experience.