The Northern Cardinal is a common sight across Florida, recognized for the male’s bright red plumage and the female’s reddish-brown tones. Unlike many other bird species, the cardinal is a non-migratory resident throughout the state. This consistent presence allows the birds to adapt their breeding schedule closely to the favorable Florida climate, resulting in an extended period of nesting activity.
The Extended Breeding Season in Florida
The mild climate in Florida permits Northern Cardinals to begin their reproductive efforts significantly earlier than their northern counterparts. Cardinals in Florida often start courtship in late winter, with egg-laying beginning as early as February or March. The breeding season then lasts for an extended period, often running all the way through to September. This long duration allows a single pair of cardinals to raise multiple families in one year. It is common for a pair to produce two to three successful broods within the season, and they may even attempt a fourth.
Triggers for Nesting Activity
The initiation of the breeding cycle is directly linked to specific environmental cues. For Northern Cardinals in Florida, two major factors signal that it is time to begin nesting: the increasing number of daylight hours and the lack of severe winter weather. The lengthening photoperiod, or the duration of light in a 24-hour cycle, is the primary biological prompt that triggers hormonal changes in the birds. Since Florida rarely experiences the hard freezes or deep snow that delay breeding in colder zones, the birds can rely on an early and steady supply of insects and seeds. The reliable availability of food and warm weather provides the necessary resources for successfully raising young.
Eggs, Incubation, and Hatching
Once the female has completed the nest, she typically lays one egg per day until the clutch is complete, usually resulting in three to four eggs. The eggs are generally an off-white, grayish, or pale greenish-white color, marked with speckles and spots of brown, purple, or gray. Incubation is performed almost exclusively by the female and lasts for approximately 12 to 13 days, during which the male provides her with food. After the chicks hatch, both parents feed the nestlings a diet primarily consisting of protein-rich insects. The young fledge about nine to 11 days after hatching, and the male often takes over their care for several weeks, allowing the female to begin preparing for the next clutch.
Where Cardinals Build Their Nests
Cardinal nests are typically built in dense, concealed locations to protect the eggs and young from predators. They often choose thick shrubs, tangles of vines, or low trees, placing the cup-shaped structure between three and 15 feet off the ground. The female constructs the nest herself, using a variety of local materials. The outer layer consists of coarse materials like twigs, bark strips, and grass for a sturdy base, while the interior is lined with finer materials such as rootlets, pine needles, or animal hair. The construction process generally takes the female between three and nine days to complete before she is ready to lay her first egg.