Zillow said this place had great ‘curb appeal,’ but we’re thinking it needs a little more… foliage? 🏠🐦

Looks like this Northern Cardinal pair is scouting out the neighborhood. While they usually prefer a cozy thicket over a traditional birdhouse, you can’t blame them for checking out the local real estate!

While that rustic red birdhouse makes for a stunning photograph, it won’t be hosting a cardinal family anytime soon. Northern Cardinals are famously picky about their real estate and strictly avoid enclosed birdhouses.

Unlike bluebirds or wrens that seek out cavities, cardinals are open-cup nesters that prefer the breezy security of a dense thicket or a sturdy evergreen branch. They thrive in the hidden forks of shrubs and small trees where they have a clear view of approaching threats while remaining tucked away under a canopy of leaves.

If you see a pair lingering around a wooden house like the one in your photo, they are almost certainly just treating it as a convenient snack bar rather than a nursery. To truly encourage a brood to settle in your yard, you are better off providing thick cover like dogwoods or hollies which offer the structural support and privacy they crave for their nests.

A typical Cardinal nest looks like this.

Looks like Narcissus is at it again, having a staring contest with his biggest fan! He just can’t get enough of that handsome bird in the mirror. 😉

Why do Cardinals peck at mirrors?

Male cardinals are very territorial, especially during breeding season. When they see their reflection in a mirror, like the one on this car, they perceive it as another male cardinal encroaching on their territory. They’ll peck at it aggressively to try and chase off what they think is a rival bird. It’s their instinct to protect their space!