How many broods does the average backyard bird have?

The number of times a bird nests in one season varies from one bird species to another, and sometimes from one locale to another.

Downy woodpeckers in the north have only one brood, but in the south they may have two. Cardinals can have as many as four broods between March and August, with the male helping to care for the first one while the female incubates the eggs of the next one.

Other members of the finch family, such as the goldfinch, house finch and grosbeaks may only have one brood. Bluebirds and robins usually have two broods.

Click the charts to enlarge the view.