Plans for Cardinal Birdhouse: Build a Cardinal-Sized Nest Box (Step-by-Step)

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Plans for a cardinal birdhouse give you a simple, sturdy box you can build in an afternoon with basic tools and scrap lumber. Northern cardinals rarely use standard nest boxes, so the design has to match how they actually nest: an open-top or open-front cup in dense shrubs, not an enclosed box with a small entry hole. This guide walks through a complete build with dimensions, a cut list, and placement advice so your box has a real chance of being used.

Why Cardinals Need a Different Kind of Birdhouse

Most birdhouses sold as “bluebird houses” or “wren houses” have a small entry hole and a closed interior. Cardinals are open-nesters. They build a cup-shaped nest of twigs, bark strips and grass, usually three to ten feet off the ground in thick evergreens, vines or tangled shrubs. They want visibility and shelter on the sides, not a dark cavity.

That means a cardinal house is really a shelf or open box with a partial roof and protected sides. If you build a standard cavity box with a 1-1/2 inch hole, you will likely attract wrens, sparrows or nothing at all. A cardinal-specific design avoids those problems. For broader context on matching box design to species, see Birdhouse Plans for Beginners if your site offers it, or keep reading for the cardinal build itself.

Materials and Tools You Need

The plans below use rough or dimensional lumber that will last outdoors. Pine, cedar or cypress all work. Untreated cedar resists rot without finish, and pine is common and easy to cut. Avoid pressure-treated lumber for anything birds will perch on, since many people prefer untreated wood for wildlife structures.

• One 1×8 board, 6 feet long (or 1×6 if that is what you have)
• One 1×6 board, 2 feet long, for the roof
• Exterior wood screws, 1-1/4 inch and 1-5/8 inch, stainless or coated
• Waterproof exterior wood glue
• Tape measure, combination square, pencil
• Table saw, miter saw, or handsaw with a miter box
• Drill with a 1/8 inch bit for pilot holes and a countersink bit
• Sandpaper, 120 grit
• Exterior stain or spar varnish (optional, plain finish is fine)
• Two 1/4 inch galvanized eye screws or a short wire for mounting

Cut List and Dimensions

These dimensions produce an open-front cardinal shelter roughly 8 inches wide, 8 inches deep and 10 inches tall at the back, with a sloped roof for rain runoff. Cut all parts to the sizes below, then dry-fit before gluing.

Because nominal 1×8 lumber actually measures about 7-1/4 inches wide, check your boards before cutting. Adjust the floor and side widths if your stock is narrower.

Step-by-Step Build

Step 1: Cut and Test-Fit

Cut each part to size with square ends. Lay the back panel and both sides on a flat surface and check that the side panels sit flush against the back. Trim the top angle on each side so the roof will sit at about 15 degrees. Small gaps are fine, but aim for square corners.

Step 2: Assemble the Frame

Glue the floor to the bottom edge of the back panel, then glue and screw each side panel to the floor and back. Pre-drill and countersink every screw hole with a 1/8 inch bit to prevent splitting. Use two 1-5/8 inch screws per joint.

Step 3: Attach the Roof

Center the roof on top so it overhangs about 1/2 inch on the front and sides. Screw it down from the inside of the back panel using 1-1/4 inch screws, leaving the front open. The overhang sheds rain away from the nest area.

Step 4: Add the Front Lip (Optional)

Glue and nail the 1×2 strip along the front edge of the floor. This small rail keeps nesting material from sliding off and gives the nest a defined cup. Skip it if you prefer a completely flat floor.

Step 5: Drain Holes and Finish

Drill four 1/4 inch drain holes in the floor corners. Sand all edges smooth, especially where the birds will land. Apply an exterior stain or spar varnish if you want longer life. Let it cure fully before mounting, since fresh finish fumes can bother nesting birds.

Step 6: Mount the House

Attach two eye screws to the back panel and hang the house on a wire or screw it to a post. Place the box 5 to 10 feet off the ground, facing away from prevailing winds and north-facing sun exposure.

Placement: Where Cardinals Actually Nest

Placement matters more than design for open-nesters. Cardinals choose dense cover. Good spots include:

• Inside a mature evergreen such as arborvitae, holly or cedar
• Against a fence or wall with climbing vines nearby
• Along the edge of a shrub border, not in the open lawn
• Within 20 to 30 feet of a feeder, but not directly over it

Keep the box away from busy paths and bird feeders where house cats and squirrels can reach it. Predator guards and baffles help if you have raccoons or cats in the area.

Tips and Common Mistakes

• Do not add a cavity hole. An entry hole turns this into a box for the wrong species and makes it harder for cardinals to see the nest.
• Avoid painting the interior. Leave the inside raw or lightly stained so it does not give off strong odors.
• Do not clean the box mid-season. Once a pair has nested, leave the old nest alone. Clean out the box only after the season ends.
• Skip the perch. Cardinals do not need a perch on a nest shelf, and perches help predators and House Sparrows.
• Check placement in spring. Cardinals often start nesting in late March or early April in the southern and central US. Have the box up before then.
• Expect slow adoption. Some pairs take a season or more to accept a new structure. Patience matters.

Recommended gear

A few tools make this build cleaner and faster. A countersink bit prevents split boards, and a miter saw gives you square cuts on the roof angle. Exterior-rated glue keeps joints intact through rain and freeze cycles.

• Countersink drill bit set speeds up pilot holes and gives screws a flush finish. View on Amazon
• Exterior wood glue bonds the joints and stays flexible in wet weather. View on Amazon
• Stainless exterior wood screws resist rust and staining from cedar and pine. View on Amazon
• Compact miter saw makes accurate crosscuts for the roof and side angles. View on Amazon

FAQ

Do cardinals use birdhouses at all?

Cardinals rarely use enclosed nest boxes, but they will use open-front shelters placed in dense shrubs or evergreens. Results vary by region and by pair, so a cardinal house is an attempt to offer suitable nesting cover, not a guaranteed tenant.

What size hole should a cardinal birdhouse have?

Cardinal houses should not have an entry hole. The open front is the entrance. A closed box with a small hole will attract other species.

When should I put the birdhouse up?

Install the box in late winter, before nesting begins. In much of the southern and central US, that means February or early March. Northern cardinals may start somewhat later farther north.

What wood is best for a cardinal birdhouse?

Untreated cedar, pine or cypress are common choices. Avoid pressure-treated wood and any painted or chemically treated surfaces inside the nesting area.

Should I put nesting material in the box?

Cardinals gather their own materials. Some builders leave a small pile of natural twigs or dried grass nearby, but this is optional and not required.

How high should a cardinal house be mounted?

Mount it 5 to 10 feet off the ground in dense cover. Higher placement is fine if the spot has good shelter from above and the sides.

How often should I clean the birdhouse?

Clean the box once a year after the nesting season ends, usually in late summer or fall. Remove old nesting material and check screws and joints for wear.

Will the birdhouse attract predators?

An open box can attract predators like cats, raccoons or snakes if it is in a poor location. Mount it away from fences or branches that give easy access and consider a predator guard if problems arise.

Conclusion

A cardinal birdhouse works best as an open-front shelter, not a cavity box. Build it with untreated lumber, skip the entry hole, and mount it in dense evergreen or shrub cover before nesting season begins. With good placement and a little patience, this simple plan gives cardinals a sheltered place to raise their young.