What Kind of Bird Houses Do Redbirds Like?

Cardinal

• Cardinals are one of the first birds that come to mind when one imagines a redbird. Since they are not cavity nesters, they will not use a birdhouse. They make their nests about 8 feet high in dense shrubs and trees. The best birdhouse you can provide a cardinal is a row of thick, tall shrubs. They will use many types of shrubs and trees, but planting American viburnum (Viburnum trilobum), American elder (Sambucus canadensis) or silver buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea) will provide cardinals with a source of food and shelter. Other options include dogwoods (Cornus spp.), blackberries (Rubus spp.), and wild grape (Vitus spp.)

Tanagers

• Scarlet, summer and hepatic tanagers are other types of redbirds living in the United States. The male summer and hepatic tanagers are solid red, although the hepatic are sometimes more orange-red. The male scarlet tanager has black wing and tails. Like cardinals, tanagers do not use birdhouses. They prefer to make their nests in deciduous trees about 20 to 30 feet off the ground.

Finches

• A number of finches can be red or have reddish colorings. The red crossbill has a red, reddish yellow or greenish color, while the pine grosbeak is more pinkish-red. House, purple and Cassin's finches all look very similar and are known for their reddish coloring. Finches prefer to nest in trees, although Cassin's finches and red grosbeaks are more likely to nest in conifers.

  House finches will nest almost anywhere -- even in houseplants -- and are known to use a birdhouse. A finch birdhouse should be 6 inches square -- the floor is 6 by 6 inches and the walls are 6 inches high. The entrance should be between 1-1/2 to 2 inches in diameter and located 4-1/2 inches from the floor. Place the birdhouse about 8 to 12 feet from the ground.

Vermilion Flycatcher

• Male vermilion flycatchers are bright red or reddish-orange with black wings and markings. Females are a grayish-brown with just a hint of red under the tail. While they are common in Mexico and South America, in the United States they are only found in portions of the Southwest. For that reason, no specific birdhouse has been designed for them. Other flycatchers, like the ash-throated and great-crested, use a birdhouse with a floor dimension of 6 inches by 6 inches. Sides should be 8 to 12 inches high and the 1-1/2-inch entrance hole needs to be 6 to 10 inches from the floor. Place the birdhouse between 5 to 15 feet from the ground.