Northern Cardinals in North Dakota
When cardinals are present in North Dakota, when they nest, which native North Dakota plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–4b yard.
- Status in North Dakota
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- May–August
- Broods
- 1–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–4b
- Range note
- Mainly the eastern third.
When to expect cardinals in North Dakota
Northern Cardinals live in North Dakota all year — mainly the eastern third. Severe winters to −30°F; Snow Buntings and redpolls arrive from the Arctic. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward weed and grass seeds; sumac, hackberry and other persistent winter fruit; sunflower and safflower at feeders.
Continental northern prairie with prairie-pothole wetlands and the Missouri River breaks.
Nesting in North Dakota
Across North Dakota, cardinals typically nest from May–August. Nest site: open cup built by the female in dense shrubs, vine tangles or saplings, usually 1–15 ft up. Females lay 2–5 eggs, incubate for 11–13 days, and young leave the nest after 7–13 days.
Short, warm summers with a peak nesting season in June.
- Northern Cardinals don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as eastern red cedar, smooth sumac, black cherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.
Native North Dakota plants that attract cardinals
Of the regional native plants we track for North Dakota, these 8 provide food or cover cardinals use:
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Blue fruit on red stems in early fall.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
Feeding cardinals through the North Dakota year
Cardinals feed most actively at dawn and dusk and rarely use small-perch tube feeders. Place feeders within 10–15 ft of dense shrub cover they can retreat to.
- Best foods: Black-oil sunflower, Safflower, Hulled sunflower chips, Cracked corn (sparingly).
- In North Dakota's winter: Severe winters to −30°F; Snow Buntings and redpolls arrive from the Arctic.
Full diet breakdown for cardinals · Best feeder for cardinals
Frequently asked
Are cardinals in North Dakota year-round?
Yes. Northern Cardinals are year-round residents in North Dakota. Mainly the eastern third.
When do cardinals nest in North Dakota?
Nesting in North Dakota typically runs May–August, with 1–3 per season. Clutches are 2–5 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days.
What native plants attract cardinals in North Dakota?
Eastern red cedar, Smooth sumac, Black cherry, American elderberry, Virginia creeper, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower are native plants in North Dakota that provide food or cover for cardinals.
Northern Cardinals in other regions
Other backyard birds in North Dakota
Sources
- Northern Cardinal — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Cardinal life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Cardinal — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — North Dakota
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.