Building the Perfect Cardinal Bird House Plans: 1 Minute to Create a Cozy Home for Cardinals

Cardinals are vibrant, year-round songbirds that bring life and color to your garden. Building the perfect cardinal bird house isn’t just a rewarding DIY project—it’s also a way to support local wildlife and enhance your outdoor space. Let’s explore the essentials of a cardinal-friendly design, how to select the best location, and helpful tips to attract these beautiful birds.

Essential Features of Cardinal Bird House Plans

Interestingly, cardinals typically do not use enclosed birdhouses like bluebirds or wrens. Instead, they prefer open, sheltered platforms or dense shrubs for nesting. A “birdhouse” for cardinals is more of an open-fronted nesting shelf or platform rather than a traditional enclosed box.

1. Open Face: The nesting shelf should have three sides and an open front. This design allows for the easy comings and goings cardinals enjoy.
2. Platform Size: Ideal dimensions are about 8 inches wide, 8 inches deep, and 1-2 inches tall on the front lip to prevent eggs or fledglings from falling.
3. Roof Overhang: A slanted roof extending at least 4 inches past the platform keeps rain and direct sun off the nest.
4. Placement Height: Install the platform 5-10 feet above the ground for safety from predators.
5. Materials: Use untreated wood like cedar or pine. Avoid varnish or paint inside; natural finishes are best for birds.
6. Drainage Holes: Drill a few holes in the platform base to avoid water accumulation.

Once built, attach your nest shelf to a sturdy tree trunk, wall, or fence post. Surrounding shrubs or foliage are vital for cardinal comfort—they like having cover nearby.

Location Matters

Cardinals are shy, so place the nesting shelf in a quiet, semi-secluded area with good visibility for the adult birds but concealed enough to discourage predators and human disturbance. They tend to avoid areas with a lot of traffic, so a corner of the yard with dense shrubbery is ideal.

Attracting Cardinals to Your Bird House

Besides a well-designed cardinal nest shelf, there are a few other elements to consider for making your backyard a cardinal haven:

1. Food: Cardinals love sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and berries. Installing feeders with these options will draw them in.
2. Water: A shallow birdbath nearby is attractive to cardinals and provides another reason for them to stick around.
3. Shelter: Evergreens, hedges, and thick shrubs provide ideal nesting and hiding spots outside of your designed shelf.
4. No Bright Colors: Use subtle, natural shades for your birdhouse to blend into the environment.

As a designer, I always advise considering how bird habitats blend with your overall garden plan. If you’re sketching outdoor zones or updating your landscape, including a designated space for wildlife can increase your garden’s livability and beauty. Tools like room planning software let you visualize both built and natural elements for seamless integration into your home’s environment.

Tips 1:

Mount the cardinal nesting shelf before nesting season—late winter or very early spring is ideal. Clean out old nesting material at the end of each season to keep the space healthy for future bird families.

FAQ

Q: What type of birdhouse do cardinals prefer?

A: Cardinals prefer open-sided nesting shelves over traditional enclosed birdhouses, ideally placed near dense shrubs or trees.

Q: What is the best height for a cardinal birdhouse?

A: Position the nesting shelf 5-10 feet off the ground for the best security and accessibility.

Q: What materials are safe for a cardinal birdhouse?

A: Use untreated, natural woods like cedar or pine. Avoid chemicals, paints, or varnishes inside the nesting area.

Q: Should a cardinal birdhouse have an open front?

A: Yes, cardinals seek out open-fronted nesting platforms instead of fully enclosed houses.

Q: How can I attract cardinals to my backyard?

A: Combine a well-placed nest shelf with cardinal-friendly feeders, a water source, and plenty of surrounding shrubs or evergreens for shelter.