Where do cardinals sleep at night?
Cardinals prefer to sleep high up in the trees whether this is a birdhouse, tree cavity, or an unoccupied branch. In general, they will look for some form of protection to cover their heads.
It’s important to note a cardinal’s sleeping patterns may change depending on the weather.
When there is rain, a cardinal may be seen rushing for cover in a tree cavity and will spend a long time there. This is why their resting spots can change from time to time.
The benefits include:
- Complete Protection
- Ideal for Inclement Weather
- Great for a Long Night’s Sleep
Cardinals are meticulous when it comes to finding a good resting spot. They will do their due diligence and make sure the area is safe before settling in for the night.
Some will prefer to come to the same spot every night, while others are going to rotate between spots depending on where they are.
This guide will help answer the question, “Where do cardinals sleep at night?” along with what a cardinal looks for when making a choice.
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Where do Cardinals Sleep at Night? Top Reasons for Choosing This Spot!
Reason #1: Keeps Them Safe
The main requirement is always going to be a fundamental one such as safety.
If the cardinal isn’t safe, they are not going to be able to rest. It’s a simple equation in their heads and that is the first detail they’re going to think about.
The goal is to find a resting spot that is easy on the body and is going to keep them out of harm’s way.
This can include a tree cavity, branch, or a simple birdhouse.
They are not going to want to be exposed near the ground as that is when you can get hunted without knowing it’s coming. As a result, cardinals are well aware of what to pay attention to when trying to sleep at night.
Reason #2: Undisturbed Sleep
Getting disturbed during the night is never pleasant and the same applies to cardinals.
Imagine being waken up in the middle of the night because someone was nearby or causing a racket. This happens in the wild too, which is why cardinals look for quiet spots in the trees.
They want to find somewhere where they can rest without getting disturbed.
It’s always going to come down to going as high up into the trees as possible.
These are the spots that tend to provide good coverage for cardinals and keep them safe as well.
Reason #3: Good Viewing Angle
When asking, “Where do cardinals sleep at night?”, it’s best to think about the viewing angle.
The cardinal is going to be resting, but it also wants a good viewing angle when an unrecognizable voice wakes them up.
If they don’t have a good viewing angle, they may become victims of surprise and that’s the last thing any bird wants while resting!
A good viewing angle is a must and it’s something they are going to look for. They want to make sure everything is in their control, especially when they are most vulnerable during the night.
Reason #4: Easy to React
The cardinal is going to want an advantageous spot to rest in.
What does this mean?
In general, the bird will be looking for a spot where it can quickly fly away as soon as a predator is nearby. This means being able to escape in multiple directions without getting boxed in.
The goal is to either have enough space to not let someone in (i.e. tree cavity) or make sure you are high enough where flying away is a breeze.
Cardinals take the time to find these spots and will naturally make sure they can escape.
There is a bit of self-preservation in this and it’s a part of their strategy to stay alive. If they don’t think about these details, it makes it easier for predators to get to them.
Final Thoughts
Where do cardinals sleep at night?
In essence, you are not going to have a single answer for this type of question.
Some cardinals are going to be seen resting on a simple branch high up in the trees, while others are going to actively seek out tree cavities as a way to protect themselves from predators.
It will depend on the situation and how many cardinals are in the area. If they are alone or in a small group, they may feel fine to rest together on a branch.
It’s always going to come down to external factors when a cardinal decides where to sleep. These variables are going to include predators, weather, temperature, and their health.
To learn more about birds, please take the opportunity to read these articles – how to train a bird to stay put, comparing lovebirds to parakeets, how to tame a bird that’s petrified, and how to protect a bird feeder at all times.