How to: Protect Cardinal Nests & Babies from Predators

[@jeanettecastle7916]

Thanks for the wonderful and accurate information on birds. You present it well. Your part about cats was about the kindest way you could present that. :)

[@M00Nature]

Wonderful tips, as usual! Thank you for doing this great education work to help people enjoy and protect their backyard birds. I would like to add: Because cardinals often nest fairly low, your DOG can be a threat to the birds, too. One of my friends told me that his dog removed a cardinal nestling from its nest several times! He put it back each time until he realized he had to keep his dog away from that part of his yard before it killed the nestling. Humans have so altered natural habitats that it is becoming harder for birds to successfully reproduce. If everyone followed your tips, we might be able to reverse some of the population declines. Keep up the great work!

[@nesthollow5159]

The dog tip is definitely important. I just saw a post this morning about a dog nabbing a bird. Cats have the stereotype for doing it. But dogs have thay prey drive too. Thanks so much for mentioning that.

[@coldspring624]

You give such sound advice. People really should mind when they do yard work. Chemical free lawns are without doubt the best way to establish the foundation of a healthy rewarding living lawn.The insects that live in and around native plants and grasses themselves can be rewarding to the eye and are the key for all types of wildlife to follow.

[@nesthollow5159]

That's a good point about the beauty if native bugs. It's been so neat to see the bee and butterfly variety. I once even saw a hummingbird moth! Thanks for that great insight.

[@rayellebishop8168]

@@nesthollow5159 Chemical free here. I see a few hummingbird moths here at N.E. Arkansas

[@KC-bz7eb]

Thank you for this video, this is the perfect time. Few weeks ago a cardinal build the nest right in front of my kitchen sink window. The 3 eggs have hatched few days ago and I don't know how to help besides not mowing and staying away from the backyard. I thought I help by providing some food on the ground and bird seed stands But the darn squirrels are coming more. I have bought a bird wash stand and again the darn squirrels are using it. Every time I see the squirrels, I go out to chase them away.

[@nesthollow5159]

Not mowing is also a really good tip especially after they fledge the nest. Keep doing what you're doing. The great news is baby cardinals fledge in 9-12 days. Sooo they grow and can fly quick.

[@erikaerika7788]

I hace success with bluebirds ❤ this season ❤ also mockingbirds ❤ doves..and now have 10 day old great crested flycatchers 😮😮😮😮😮😮

[@crzrck]

I thought mourning doves had a crappy Nest but Cardinals take the cake

[@Lou_Mansfield]

This year I refresh my bird bath almost daily, and there are about a dozen bird species that come every day, including cardinals. I don't have any birdhouses or feeders yet

[@nesthollow5159]

That is sooo cool to hear. It really says something about your backyard stewardship when you're seeing a variety visiting your yard.

[@erikaerika7788]

The mockingbird nested like 5 times this year ..but i know 2 nest were successful ..just last weekend a new fledging got in my garage 😂..he hid far behing my washer drier 😮😮😮😮😮it was a pain to move stuff to get him out😮😮😮😮 i just left him alone while i did something else ..when i came back he was gone and mama was there warching me .. she called him and he jumped out of the garage 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@nesthollow5159]

5 times! Florida is lucky for that. Seems like nesting season goes a bit longer. How did mama handle you being out there by her young? When I lived in Tamap, we had a mockingbird nest in our palm and they were fierce defenders! There was no lawn mowing while they nested there 🤣

[@markshen3280]

Though I don’t know whether or not we should protect birds’ nests 🪹, but I think bird nests 🪹 should be left alone and let nature take its course.

[@nesthollow5159]

Generally this is true. But for most North America cavity nesting birds, which this channel caters a lot to, nest monitoring and protection is essential in order to protect against the declining numbers. And those who have become used to protecting cavity birds, tend to want to extend the same stewardship towards open nesters. Think of it similar to sea turtles on beaches and how conservationists put up signs and even fencing to protect the nests because they too need help getting their numbers back - it's similar for certain bird species (though I don't think cardinals are in as much jeopardy, but they are beloved by many).

[@rayellebishop8168]

@@nesthollow5159 👍

[@erikaerika7788]

Well we have to protect bluebirds if not tjey would have gone extint ❤❤❤❤❤

[@erikaerika7788]

I live in the tourist distric in orlando ❤ have tons of birds and coyotes eat cats ..also the hoa prohibits pets roaming around ..also gators readly would eat dogs 😮😮

[@nesthollow5159]

That's amazing to hear. I know you've had a lot of diversity, but to hear you're having such success in a tourist area is fantastic because it's so much harder to manage wildlife in more populated areas. Keep doing what you're doing!

[@KC-bz7eb]

I am heart broken, all the 3 hatchlings have disappeared due to predators. I was really hoping that at least the last one would survive but today morning it is no longer in the nest. :( Will the cardinal use the nest again or seek some place else? Should I remove the nest or not?

[@nesthollow5159]

I'm so sorry. I understand the disappointment. I would not remove the nest. But I've always found that cardinals re-nest in a different spot, especially if there was a nest failure. I'd still leave thr nest just in case. Hopefully your cardinal finds another spot.