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If you’re hoping to attract the brilliant red flash of a Northern Cardinal to your yard, you might be wondering: Will cardinals actually use a birdhouse? It’s a fair question, and the answer is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no.
In this blog, we’ll break it all down clearly: whether cardinals use birdhouses, what they prefer instead, and how you can make your backyard a cardinal magnet.
Short answer: No, not usually.
Northern Cardinals typically do not use enclosed birdhouses like bluebirds, chickadees, or wrens do. Cardinals are “open-cup nesters,” which means they prefer to build their own nests in the open, supported by the branches of dense shrubs, small trees, or thick vines.
They don’t like nesting inside cavities or boxes. An enclosed space doesn’t suit their instincts or nesting style.
That said, you can still create an environment that encourages them to nest nearby. But instead of offering them a typical birdhouse, you’ll need to think more about the type of natural shelter and structure they love.
Understanding cardinal behavior helps answer this. Here are a few reasons why they avoid traditional birdhouses:
In short: a classic, enclosed birdhouse doesn’t match their instincts.
If you want cardinals to stick around and nest in your yard, you need to offer the right environment:
They prefer thick, shrubby cover for nesting. Some of their favorites include:
Dense vegetation offers safety from predators and enough structural support for an open nest.
Trees like Redbud, Serviceberry, or young Maples are perfect. Cardinals will often build their nests 1-15 feet off the ground in low branches.
If you want to offer some structure, cardinal nesting shelves can work.
Unlike birdhouses, nesting shelves are open platforms with no walls. They simulate a strong branch or crook where a cardinal can build its nest. If you mount a nesting shelf near dense vegetation, there’s a decent chance a cardinal pair might adopt it.
Typical nesting shelf features:
DIY or store-bought nesting shelves are a good compromise if you want to “offer” something to cardinals.
Location matters. Follow these tips for success:
Bonus tip: having food and water nearby increases your odds.
Beyond shelter, cardinals need a few more things to stick around:
Cardinals love:
A platform feeder or hopper feeder works best since cardinals are a bit too heavy for tube feeders.
Cardinals appreciate a clean, shallow birdbath.
Avoid using pesticides and herbicides.
Offer plenty of natural “escape cover” like thickets, dense hedges, and brush piles to give them places to hide from predators like hawks and cats.
Many homeowners fail because they:
If you focus only on one need (like food) but ignore cover and water, cardinals will come by for a snack but won’t stay to raise a family.
Planting the right things makes a huge difference. Here are the best options:
Mix native shrubs, small trees, and vines to create layers of habitat.
Understanding their timing can help you prepare:
Having good habitat in place before spring starts is critical.
If you’re lucky enough to find a cardinal nest, here’s what to expect:
Never touch or disturb a nest. Cardinals are sensitive and might abandon it if they feel it’s unsafe.
To recap:
If you create the right environment, you’ll have the joy of seeing bright cardinals flit through your yard, sing from the treetops, and maybe even raise a family right outside your window.
Want to make your yard a cardinal paradise? Start planting and planning today. The earlier you prepare, the sooner you might hear that iconic “cheer-cheer-cheer” outside your home!
FAQs About Cardinals and Birdhouses
Q: Can I modify a birdhouse to attract cardinals?
A: Not really. Cardinals don’t want enclosed spaces. Stick to open nesting shelves if you want to offer something.
Q: How high should I put a cardinal nesting shelf?
A: Ideally 5-15 feet high, near dense cover.
Q: What month should I install the nesting shelf?
A: Best to have it up by late February or early March, before breeding season starts.
Q: Will cardinals return to the same spot every year?
A: Sometimes! If they successfully nest in your yard once, they may come back.
Q: Are nesting shelves guaranteed to work?
A: No guarantees with wildlife, but a well-placed shelf near good habitat gives you a real shot.
Sources:
Liked this guide? Share it with a fellow bird lover or leave a comment with your cardinal sightings!