Cardinals are a type of North American songbird that are known for their bright red plumage. They are also the state bird of 7 states including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. Cardinals typically nest in trees and shrubs that have dense foliage. This provides them with cover from predators as well as shelter from the elements. Some common trees that cardinals nest in include:
-Dogwoods
-Maples
-Oaks
-Pines
Cardinals will often build their nests in tree cavities or on horizontal branches near the trunk of the tree. The female cardinal will construct the nest out of twigs, leaves and grasses while the male cardinal will help to gather nesting materials. Once the nest is complete, the female cardinal will lay 3-4 eggs which she will incubate for approximately 2 weeks. After the chicks hatch, both parents will feed them until they are old enough to fend for themselves.