Northern cardinals build their nests in dense shrubs, vines, or low trees, typically placed about 3 to 10 feet above the ground, though sometimes as low as 1 foot or as high as 15 feet

. They prefer locations with dense foliage that provide good cover and protection, such as dogwoods, honeysuckle, rose bushes, hawthorn, spruce, blackberry brambles, and other small trees or vines

. The nests are usually wedged securely into the forks of small branches or dense tangles of vines and shrubs, often at the edges of woods, fields, suburbs, and backyards rather than in deep forests or open grasslands

. Cardinals do not build nests in birdhouses, as they prefer more open, natural cover

. The female cardinal primarily builds the nest, which is a small, cup-shaped structure made from twigs, grass, bark strips, leaves, and rootlets, lined with softer materials like fine grass, pine needles, moss, or animal fur for warmth and comfort

. The nest is typically about 4 inches wide and 2-3 inches tall, designed to securely hold eggs and chicks

. In summary, cardinals build their nests in dense, low to mid-height vegetation, favoring shrubs and small trees with thick foliage that provide concealment and safety for their eggs and young