Cardinals are known to be common lovers. The northern cardinal male will typically feed the northern female cardinal during courtship. They spend time together year round when they are in love. You can have northern cardinals visit your bird feeder regularly.
Female cardinals build nests in bushes and shrubs. Building the nest may take her up to 9 days or less. With the males assisting, it my take 3 days or a few more. Female cardinals lay 2 to 3 eggs, or sometimes 4 eggs at a time. During incubation, which lasts for 11 to 13 days, the male cardinals stay with their mates, bringing her food.

Cardinals care for their young ones right from when the eggs hatch. You may find them preening each other, and even their young ones. They pick bugs from their feathers.