Cardinals are undoubtedly some of the most recognizable birds on the planet. Known for their melodious songs and beautifully unique red feathers, the Cardinal is commonly spotted in regions of North America.
With red feathers, a black mask, a very short conical bill, and a single crest, this medium-sized bird is very popular among bird watchers.
A common question when discussing these birds is, where exactly do cardinals sleep at night? If this is something you’ve ever wondered when researching these beautiful birds, then this article will hopefully give you all the answers you need.
How Do Cardinals Find the Perfect Spot to Rest for the Night
When it comes to finding a perfect spot to nest for the night, Cardinals have their own unique preferences.
The female Cardinals play an important role when selecting the perfect spot for nesting. They evaluate many potential factors, including safety, proximity to food, security, and accessibility, before even beginning to build their bed for the night.
Once a perfect spot is chosen, the combined effort of the male and female working as a team creates the perfect nest to be able to sleep and breed in.
The female Cardinal does the majority of the construction work whilst the male Cardinal assists in providing the materials needed. The following points are just some of the factors the Cardinals look out for when finding the perfect spot to rest for the night.
1. They Look for Safety First
Cardinals prioritize nesting spots the same way we do by finding somewhere safe and secure. They prefer areas that provide them with shields and cover from any potential danger, such as predators or harsh weather.
Despite being predators themselves, Cardinals are prone to being hunted by predators such as owls, cats, and other birds. Nesting into places where they are protected from these predators is their only way to remain safe at night.
Dense foliage and tangled branches are some of the most common spots where you will likely see cardinals building their nests. These places are well hidden and concealed, providing plenty of protection and safety needed for a good night’s rest.
2. They Prefer Peace and Quiet
Cardinals are well known for filling their habitat with the sound of their melodious songs, but when it comes to rest for the night, they’re not so different from us. A top priority for them is finding somewhere peaceful and quiet so as not to be disturbed from their slumber.
After a long day, the Cardinal needs their rest, places devoid of human interference or loud noises are ideal spots you will find them staying for the night.
Being very active all through the day in a safe and secure spot is essential to their well-being and, above all else, their survival. The Cardinal is no different to many other animals and needs time to recharge in quiet but safe areas.
3. They Like to Have a Good Vantage Point
Cardinals often choose elevated spots to nest at night, ranging from heights of 3 to 10 feet off the ground. Bushes and trees are generally the habitats they choose due to the effective vantage points they provide, a key factor in the cardinal’s survival.
Strategically placed with strong foundations, vantage points offer a clear view of any potential danger from predators. Despite the Cardinal looking like a sweet and peaceful bird, they are also very territorial, and a vantage point will offer a clear view of any potential threats to their home.
4. They Search for Spots That Provide Protection From Rain and Snow
Protective spots are incredibly important to the Cardinals, they are a bird known to stay in one place without migrating.
Whether it’s the chill of the harsh winter or the scorching heat of the summer, the Cardinal stays put, making the need to find a sheltered spot all the more essential for their survival.
Thick vegetation, shrubs, and trees provide protection from the wind, rain, and extreme temperatures. As much as Cardinals are highly adaptable and can withstand these various weather conditions, they need their rest to recharge, ready for the next day ahead, so finding a protective spot is never taken lightly.
The next time you come across a Cardinal in your garden or local park, just know they are most probably looking out for the perfect spot to nest for the night. So make sure you don’t disturb them.
Will Cardinals Sleep in Backyard Birdhouses?
Cardinals prefer natural environments for their nests rather than man-made structures.
The cardinal nests are cup-shaped structures made of twigs, grasses, leaves, and other plant-based materials that blend well and camouflage into vegetation. Man-made birdhouses rarely provide these attributes which is why a more natural environment is preferred.
On occasion, though, the Cardinal will use birdhouses to seek shelter from harsh conditions. They are a suitable but temporary refuge for the Cardinal during rougher weather.
If these man-made birdhouses meet the Cardinal’s requirements of safety and protection, then they may choose to spend the night there.
Birdhouses might sound and look snuggly, but they don’t offer the perfect spot for the Cardinals. For instance, if there is danger approaching from other predators, then the Cardinal won’t have any escape route, which is not ideal when nesting for the night.
Do you want to attract cardinals to your backyard birdhouse? If the answer is ‘yes’, consider the following tips:
- The birdhouse should be in a quiet and secluded area of your backyard.
- A large entrance hole and interior space will ensure the Cardinals are well accommodated.
- Natural cover, such as trees and shrubs, will make the area more appealing for the Cardinals.
- Having bird feeders in your garden or backyard filled with lots of food is a big draw.
- Include water features. An excellent feature will provide them with a source of hydration and bathing.
Your birdhouse, however, will always be a temporary sleeping location for the Cardinal before they can move on to a more natural habitat. It requires thoughtful planning and a lot of creativity to make a perfect nesting spot for Cardinals. But no matter how perfect, sadly, the Cardinal will not stay long-term.
Cardinals Need an Easy Escape Route During The Night
As you can imagine, another aspect Cardinals consider when choosing a resting place is accessibility, along with how easy it is for them to potentially make their escape.
As you know, cardinals are so small that they can have a variety of predators hunting them, including owl-like raptors. This is why they prefer spots with a lot of branches nearby and a place not too high from the ground for quick getaways.
Shrubs and trees with lots of leaves offer perfect hiding spots to roost in and high vantage points allow multiple escape routes.
All these factors ensure the Cardinal’s safety and are exactly why this smart and beautiful bird chooses not to sleep in man-made birdhouses for long periods of time. Nature provides them with the perfect spot.
Do Cardinals Sleep Alone or in Groups?
Cardinals are social creatures just like human beings, engaging in many activities together such as singing, flying, and feeding. But when it comes to sleeping, Cardinals find a whole different approach, opting for secluded branches where they can rest.
Generally, Cardinals are quite solitary sleepers, but on some occasions, they choose to sleep together. For example, during their breeding season, birds will often sleep with their mating partner, and the mother will then sleep with their babies to keep them warm.
Despite a Cardinal’s preference for solitary sleeping, a strong sense of togetherness is maintained during the breeding season by sleeping as a pair. Once the mating season is over, Cardinals go their separate ways and return to finding their own solitary resting places for the nights ahead.
Do the Cardinals Return to the Same Place Every Night?
In order for Cardinals to fully protect themselves, they establish several priority roosts in their area, alternating between them each night.
The Cardinals are a bird willing to embrace change, they are the kings and queens of adaptability in the wild when it comes to finding the perfect sleeping spot. But they are also an animal of habit, always ending up gravitating towards familiar spots to feel safe and comfortable.
Being intelligent birds, they make sure to scout their surroundings for prowling predators, placing safety at the top of their priority list.
When Do Cardinals Go to Bed?
Cardinals usually go to bed when the sun sets, and they wake when the sun rises. They rise in the early hours of the morning, filling their bellies throughout the day before getting an early night.
They are referred to as diurnal birds, which means they are active during the day and sleep during the nighttime hours. Most importantly, the Cardinal will only close its eyes and sleep when it feels completely safe and secure from any predators or dangerous weather.
Where Do Cardinals Shelter During Harsh Weather Conditions?
Cardinals are the birds known to find a place and make it their permanent home for a lifetime. They do not migrate from place to place, unlike other bird species that migrate with the seasons.
Their adaptability means they stay in one place no matter the weather; if it’s icy winds or summer heatwaves the Cardinal won’t budge from their home.
However, when the weather deteriorates, cardinals will most likely try to find appropriate shelter wherever possible. It may even be on the roof of your veranda or under the eaves of your garage.
As soon as the weather improves they return to their favorite resting spots in the natural world amongst the dense and safe vegetation.
Conclusion
Cardinal birds are meticulous when it comes to choosing their nesting spots. Safety is their first priority, covering factors including predators and dangerous weather conditions.
Depending on the geographic location and availability of the habitat, the Cardinal may vary in their nesting habits. In urban areas where there is limited access to any natural habitats, the Cardinals will find nesting spots in the potted plants on people’s balconies or even amongst the shrubs.
The next time you venture out on one of your bird-watching expeditions, keep an eye out for the well-concaled Cardinal nests hidden within the dense vegetation.
