The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a non-migratory songbird found across eastern and central North America. Known for the male’s bright red plumage and clear, whistling song, this bird is a common sight even in winter. Understanding their nesting habits helps explain their prevalence in suburban environments. Their survival strategy emphasizes concealment and a long, productive breeding season.
Habitat Selection and Placement
Cardinals are selective when choosing a nesting location, prioritizing dense cover over height. The female typically makes the final site selection, often spending a week or two assessing potential spots. Nests are rarely placed in open cavities or birdhouses, as the species prefers an open-cup structure supported by dense vegetation.
The most common placement is within thickets, dense shrubs, or vine tangles, usually positioned between 3 and 15 feet off the ground. This low-to-mid-level height keeps the nest hidden from aerial predators while remaining accessible to the parents. Early in the season, cardinals may favor evergreen trees or shrubs, which offer superior camouflage before deciduous trees fully leaf out.
They frequently choose sites at the edge of wooded areas, in hedgerows, or within dense backyard landscaping like honeysuckle or rose bushes. This preference for transitional zones (ecotones) allows them to utilize protective cover while remaining near open foraging areas. The density of the surrounding foliage is the most important factor for concealment.
Nest Construction and Materials
The construction of the nest is primarily the female’s responsibility, though the male may assist by bringing materials to the site. She crushes and bends twigs until they become pliable, using her body to shape the interior into a tight cup. This process usually takes between three and nine days to complete.
The finished structure is a bulky, four-layered cup providing stability and insulation. The foundation consists of a coarse outer layer made from stiff twigs, bark strips, and dried leaves. This is followed by a middle layer that often incorporates softer materials like grapevine bark or decaying leaves for padding.
The innermost layer is a fine lining constructed from soft grasses, rootlets, pine needles, and sometimes animal hair. The final nest measures approximately four inches across, with an inner cup diameter of about three inches, sized to hold the clutch of two to five eggs.
Timing of the Breeding Season
The Northern Cardinal’s breeding season is extensive, beginning in early spring and often stretching into late summer. Nesting activity can start as early as March in southern latitudes and continue through August or September. This long duration allows cardinals to be prolific breeders, commonly raising two to four separate broods within a single year.
The female begins incubating her clutch only after the final egg is laid, a process that lasts 11 to 13 days. During this time, the male assumes the role of provider, bringing food to the female while she remains on the nest. Once the chicks hatch, they remain in the nest for another 7 to 13 days before fledging.
Cardinals almost never reuse the same nest for subsequent broods, instead constructing a new structure nearby. The male often takes over feeding the recently fledged young, freeing the female to begin building the next nest. This division of labor allows the pair to maximize their reproductive output during the long nesting period.