A cardinal's nest is a small, cup-shaped platform of twigs and leaves, usually built in a tree or bush. The female cardinal does most of the work constructing the nest, which takes about four to six days. She weaves together twigs from nearby trees and shrubs, and lines the nest with soft materials like grasses, mosses, and hair.
The outside of a cardinal nest is usually gray or brown, but the inside is lined with bright red feathers. This is where the bird gets its name! Cardinals are also known for their reddish-orange beaks and feet.
Both male and female cardinals help incubate the eggs (usually three to four), which take about two weeks to hatch. Once the chicks are born, both parents feed them until they're ready to leave the nest on their own, typically after another two weeks.