Cardinal Nesting, Breeding and Baby Facts (Northern Cardinal Nesting Season)

Have you been hearing a lot of cardinals singing in the morning lately?
In this video, you'll learn how northern cardinals take care of their young, about the nesting phases, who incubates the eggs, what the babies eat, and so much more.
Cardinals are known for being very attentive to each other and to their young, and now you get to learn even more about that.
We also reference important studies that looked at predation and nestling survival rate. The study referenced looked at different nesting location types to see what contributed best to nestling survival. Unfortunately, there was no significance between height, access and visibility. Another startling result from this study was that only 15% of the nesting attempts were successful. Keep in mind, a statistic from one field study is not a blanket statistic.
You can help cardinals nest by making sure you have decent shrubs around your home, black oil sunflower seed and access to clean water. Water is actually very important for the parents.
If you do find a nest, make sure food is not too close to it. Also, do not disturb the nest.
Referenced Studies:
Filliater, T. S., Breitwisch, R., & Nealen, P. M. (1994). Predation on Northern Cardinal nests: Does choice of nest site matter?. The Condor, 96(3), 761-768.
Nealen, P. M., & Breitwisch, R. (1997). Northern Cardinal sexes defend nests equally. The Wilson Bulletin, 269-278.
Some footage was via paid stock footage. However most of the footage was my own.
From March - June, you'll hear cardinals singing a lot. But to really get a good glimpse of them singing, try to visit your parks or even walk your neighborhood very early in the morning. Before sunrise and just after are good times. Evening hours can also be good.

[@AntonioC-cv1si]

I love birds. My favorites are the Blue Jay, Cardinal, Pigeon, Cockatiel and Mockingbird.

[@jennwysocki8825]

I just got my fitst mest in a rose bush right against my house about 3 - 4 FT off the ground and there 5 eggs. I'm excited to watch what goes on but I'm worried about disturbing them with yardwork as they've managed to make the nest I'm the only manicured spot in my yard.

[@nesthollow5159]

CONGRATULATIONS! What an honor for cardinals to nest with you. They are such special birds. You should be just fine with yardwork. In weeks to come, I'll be releasing a video on protecting nesting cardinals. But you can monitor or check the nest every 3-4 days. Search Google for "Nestwatch nest monitoring protocol" for some advice on how to do it with minimal disruption. 5 eggs is a lot! The most I ever get is 3. Keep me posted about how it goes. Enjoy :)

[@Retired007]

Mine are right outside my bedroom window in a tree I wanted to cut down. But once I saw the nest I just couldnt. They are too high for me to see from ourside, but I can see baby birds sticking their heads up and momma feeding them from the window. It is beautiful to watch.

[@maxpower1337]

Got love the Cardinals song.❤️

[@clovergrass9439]

Excellent overview, thank you.

[@bootymchooters2820]

Really enjoy this Video. Thank you for your work.

[@jennifersantamaria8964]

Great video! ❤

[@gailhinton8446]

I love to watch all linds of birds but cardinals and hummingbirds are my favorites ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😅

[@andrewmoore8635]

Outstanding

[@danbev8542]

Thanks for this informative video. I’m listening on my iPad with someone doing dishes & I’m having trouble hearing your soft voice.

[@nesthollow5159]

I'm sorry about that. We'll have to work on the audio. I think it can vary from device to device. But we will work on that. Thanks for the feedback.

[@jungianLaura]

Thank you.

[@cardinalredbirdsinging1917]

Wow I did know that

[@calsetinzc]

Thanks for the awesome information! I have a nest with 2 babies on them , so far all good ❤️🫶🏻 the bush sadly for some reason dry out exactly where the nest is and I was concerned by the lack of shade , but it seems everything is fine. I don’t want to interfiere and mess it up . If you have any suggestions I will appreciate it !

[@nesthollow5159]

This is so exciting to hear! That's odd that the bush dried out in that area. I've never had that happen before, so I'm not sure the cause :(. But if your cardinals are doing well, just enjoy watching them. I'm working on a video about protecting nesting cardinals and other open nesting birds, but I imagine that won't be ready for another month or 2. Some pointers are not to feed seed near the nest because it will draw predators, keep bird baths clean, if you show kids the nest, take extra time to explain that they're live animals and we don't touch. My friend's little 6 year old thought the robin eggs in a nest they found was Easter candy :(. So it's definitely good to teach the kids that this is real. Off the top of my head, I can't think of the rest. But just keep a lookout for the video. Good luck and enjoy!

[@erikaerika7788]

Great video ..i have a ton of cardinals, they had so many juveniles las season ..will have an infestation of cardinals this year 🤣🤣🤣🤣 also have a trasher nesting last year. He is back....bluebirds already defending the house i put out, dove nested just outsude my garage, wokdpecker lost their house.. the dead tree was remived by my neiboor😪 but every window i look i have a nesting bird 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nesthollow5159]

Thrashers are such cool birds to have nesting. We had a pair one year. They didn't come back, but they had a successful brood.

[@johanna6050]

Thank you for posting this video. While sitting on my front porch after being away for two weeks, I spotted a female cardinal hopping up to a nest in the conifer on the side of the house. I've got my fingers crossed as previous bird nests (not sure which kind) have been raided by a local hawk.

[@fresa2005]

❤

[@carefulconsumer8682]

I have a nest in a bush just outside my window. The female stays there all night but where does the male go? I never see him at night. Beautiful video.

[@nesthollow5159]

That's a great question! Nests are really just for raising the babies. It's almost like a crib. There are reports in published papers where a bird will randomly use an old nest during winter to keep warm. But generally, birds roost in a tree or bush at night. Carolina wrens sometimes roost in porch rafters during the winter. We had one pair roost in a wreath during the winter. But for Mr. Cardinal, he probably sleeps somewhere else in the bush or in a nearby tree. Mrs. Cardinal may stop brooding the babies when they are a bit older - closer to fledging. So don't worry of you suddenly don't see her on the nest at a certain point.

[@carefulconsumer8682]

@@nesthollow5159 Thank you. They are using an old nest that was made last year by doves. So beautiful to watch them. There are some Mocking Birds that come into the yard often also. This is west of Houston. I put in 18 trees and bushes in my yard and it's paying off with all the nature---rabbits, all sorts of birds, etc.

[@nesthollow5159]

@@carefulconsumer8682 that's awesome. Sounds like you built a pretty amazing sanctuary for wildlife in your yard.

[@ale_the_ia9033]

We have a cardinal nest in a large bush right next to our back patio, on the other side of a lattice wall. I can hear the babies peeping now when mom and dad show up with food, so I know they’ve hatched. My mother, however, refuses to consider not mowing around the bush in the meantime. She’s stubborn that way 😑 I’m afraid the loud noise from it will scare the babies, and they will jump the nest.

[@nesthollow5159]

That's a valid concern. If they're still pink, there is less worry about that. A compromise would be to get the weed-eater out and trim around the bush so that when she mows, she's a bit farther away. I've had a robin nest and not had issues when mowing. A baby bird's instinct is usually to hide as low in the nest as it can and freeze. But I cannot guarantee this behavior either. Hopefully it all works out. The upside to mowing is that it makes it easier for birds to find bugs.

[@ale_the_ia9033]

@@nesthollow5159 Thank you!

[@andrewmoore8635]

I have a nest in a meyers lemon tree. Moma bird and I are getting along.

[@nesthollow5159]

Congratulations ❤. Keep an eye out. This will be so fun to watch.

[@supremeguru5770]

One of the most expensive birds in the world . $900.00 here in New York City .

[@cryptid726]

Our cardinal nest got ripped out of the tree last night and luckily we foud the eggs unbroken but will she come back for the eggs? We put them in a older nest a few feet away that was abandoned. Such beautiful birds and i want them to survive.

[@cryptid726]

We have a bluebird nest with eggs could I put them in that nest? Or bad idea?

[@nesthollow5159]

No please don't put them in other bird nests. Different species have different hatch and incubation rates mixed broods often don't pan out and it could jeopardize the lives of the bluebirds. Not to mention, caring for more young than usual is exhausting on the parents.

[@nesthollow5159]

Putting them in the old nest near the original nesting spot is probably the best option. If it's in the same tree and close enough to the same place, she may find them and return. But if not, cardinals are quick to rebuild and try again with new eggs.

[@nesthollow5159]

Also, I just wanted to say thank you for asking this because it's a very good question.

[@cryptid726]

@nesthollow5159 thank you for responding! It's hard to find info anywhere. They are just a few feet away from where her nest was and hope she comes back. Sometimes nature is unfair I guess.

[@alexiswilson9370]

So a cardinal built a nest in my moms lemon tree…what do we do?

[@nesthollow5159]

Nothing. Just enjoy. Look out for the babies. Once the eggs hatch, they'll only have about 1.5 weeks before they leave the nest. But you'll see them following the dad around and begging for food by flapping their wings. We had a nest in some holly. Sadly, a cowbird laid 2 eggs in it. And now cowbird babies are following the cardinal. When you do see babies, if they have a bit of a Mohawk, you'll know it's a cardinal. If they don't, it might be a cowbird following them around. Fledgling babies will look like baby birds, but they are ready to be out of the nest. Many people are finding baby birds thinking they've fallen from the nest, when really they're old enough to be out. You'll know they're old enough if they have distinct eathers.... you see more feather than feather spine. Baby cardinals are a bit balder. And their eyes look a bit like a lizard, but their wing feathers should look like defined feathers. Enjoy 🐦

[@gailhinton8446]

It should say all kinds of birds. Sorry!

[@nesthollow5159]

No worries. I know what you mean 😀. I'm especially typo-prone when on mobile.