14 Cute and Heartwarming Baby Cardinal Photos

See what a baby cardinal looks like, from egg to fledgling, with photos. Did you know baby cardinals don't have red feathers when they hatch?

baby cardinal
Courtesy Terri Villacci

Cute Baby Cardinal

“After the snow finally left, I went out front to trim the dead branches from the arbovitae and there was a nest visible. There was a female cardinal sitting on eggs. The eggs hatched the first of May. Soon the baby birds flew off and they had such great expressions whenever I took photos. What I loved is that I did not know that a baby cardinal isn’t born with its red color. I learned a lot about cardinals this year,” says Terri Villacci. Discover fascinating cardinal bird facts.

baby cardinals with female
Courtesy Jody Miller

Cardinal Mom on Duty

“While watering my newly purchased hanging fern basket, I was overjoyed to find a nest with two brown and creme speckled eggs in a nest. Watching the next few weeks unfold as I watched the cardinal momma diligently attend to the nest. Then seeing the pair of birds take an equal interest in the chicks, feeding them after they hatched, was truly unforgettable. This picture speaks to me as I feel like it encompasses that new feeling as a mom,” says Jody Miller. Do northern cardinals mate for life?

juvenile cardinal
Courtesy Causetta Smith

Juvenile Cardinal

“I spotted a juvenile female northern cardinal stopping by the birdbath for a drink on a beautiful summer morning in Logan County, West Virginia,” says Causetta Smith. Check out more simply stunning bird photos of cardinals and cardinals in the snow, too.

baby cardinal
Courtesy Candy Isom

Ready to Fly

“I was at a family party for Memorial Day when we were lucky enough to catch a baby cardinal leaving its nest to test out its wings. The mom and dad cardinal were nearby and the dad had two juicy worms in his mouth. The baby was very focused on flying, however, and ended up in a small tree. I grabbed my camera and took a picture of it resting. It looks so crabby; but I think it was excited. I know we were!” says Candy Isom.

Discover proven ways to attract attract northern cardinals.

Bnbbyc19 Pamela Hall
Courtesy Pamela Hall

Fluffy Baby Cardinal Birds

“I saw cardinals in my backyard bush, then I found a nest and discovered this baby cardinal getting ready to venture out. I usually never see cardinals in my yard so this was exciting to keep track and grab a picture,” says Pamela Hall.

Meet the 3 types of cardinals in North America.

young cardinal
Courtesy Sarah Harrigan

Redbird Grows Up

“I believe this is a juvenile cardinal. We have had an abundance of them this spring and summer. Walking past the window I noticed this bird and quickly grabbed my camera for the capture,” says Sarah Harrigan.

Check out 9 birds that look like cardinals.

cardinal nest and babies
Courtesy Amy Volovski

Just Hatched

“These beautiful cardinal babies were nested right outside our driveway in rhododendron bushes. We thought they were robins but then we looked it up and were pleasantly surprised they were cardinals. We love our cardinals because they are so majestic,” says Amy Volovski.

If you see a cardinal, here’s what it means.

307923529 1 George Kurzik Bnb Pc 2022
Courtesy George Kurzik

Feeding Time With Mom

“We noticed activity in one of our bushes and was able to capture a female cardinal looking in on her chicks. This image was taken with a Nikon D750,” says George Kurzik.

Check out the best cardinal bird feeders and birdseed.

Baby Cardinal Preparing To Leave The Nest.
Courtesy Joan Fleming

Young Feathered Friend

“I was so lucky when I found this little baby cardinal preparing to leave the nest,” says Joan Fleming.

Don’t miss these pictures of rare white cardinals and yellow cardinals!

cardinal baby
Courtesy Kellie Pascucci

Found a Cardinal Nest

“In August, our 8-month old puppy noticed a nest and mama cardinal outside our front window. Today I was able to get close enough to take this shot,” says Kellie Pascucci.

What does a cardinal’s call sound like?

baby cardinals eating
Courtesy Tina Burrows

A Tasty Caterpillar Snack

“We have had a pair of cardinals that have built a nest in our one of our rose trees for the last four years. It just happens to be near my pantry window. I have been fortunate to witness the two raise several babies with such devotion and love!” says Tina Burrows.

Meet the pyrrhuloxia: the desert cardinal of the southwest.

baby cardinal with mom
Courtesy Sue Jarrett

Baby Cardinal Eating Seeds

” I took this photo right in my backyard when the mom northern cardinal was feeding her baby cardinal on a grounded branch,” says Sue Jarrett.

Will a cardinal use a birdhouse?

cardinal nest and eggs
Courtesy Leisa Duff

Late Nesting Cardinals

“I captured this photo of a cardinal nest just outside my door in early fall and I was very surprised because it was past the usual nesting months. I was excited to watch each day’s progress. On this day, when I peeked in to take a picture, the leaves moved and they were ready to eat!” says Leisa Duff.

Find out what cardinal eggs look like.

cardinal nest, what do baby cardinals eat
Courtesy Ryan Schoenfeld

Sweet Family Moment

Ryan Schoenfeld shared an adorable photo of a female cardinal feeding her babies in the nest. Check out more super cute baby birds you need to see.

Lori Vanover
Lori has 20 years of experience writing and editing home, garden, birding and lifestyle content for several publishers. As Birds & Blooms senior digital editor, she leads a team of writers and editors sharing birding tips and expert gardening advice. Since joining Trusted Media Brands 13 years ago, she has held roles in digital and print, editing magazines and books, curating special interest publications, managing social media accounts, creating digital content and newsletters, and working with the Field Editors—Birds & Blooms network of more than 50 backyard birders. Passionate about animals and nature, Lori has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural and Environmental Communications from the University of Illinois. In 2023, she became certified as a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener, and she is a member of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology and sits on the organization's Publications Advisory Committee. She frequently checks on her bird feeders while working from home and tests new varieties of perennials, herbs and vegetable plants in her ever-growing backyard gardens.