Eastern red cedar for birds in Florida
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to Florida, where it feeds or shelters 39 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Florida
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 8a–11b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Florida birds supported
- 39
- Nesting birds among them
- 25
Growing conditions in Florida
Humid subtropical in the north to tropical in the Keys; a wet summer and a dry winter season.
Heat, humidity and summer storms: boxes need drainage holes, ventilation and shade, and nectar spoils fast.
Florida birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (20)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Pine Warbler, European Starling, White-winged Dove, Gray Catbird, Yellow-throated Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Monk Parakeet
Summer breeders (5)
Orchard Oriole, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (14)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Red Crossbill, Palm Warbler, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill
Winter is the busy feeder season as northern migrants — goldfinches, wrens and others — arrive from October.
Nesting season it supports in Florida
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Eastern red cedar:
- Northern Cardinal — March–September
- Eastern Bluebird — March–July
- House Finch — March–August
- American Robin — March–July
- Northern Flicker — March–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — March–June
- Brown-headed Nuthatch — February–May
- Orchard Oriole — April–June
- Eastern Towhee — April–July
- Gray Catbird — April–July
Native plants to pair with Eastern red cedar in Florida
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Eastern red cedar native to Florida?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Florida. Florida spans USDA 8a–11b.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Florida?
In Florida, Eastern red cedar supports 39 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in Florida?
25 of those birds nest in Florida: Northern Cardinal (March–September), Eastern Bluebird (March–July), House Finch (March–August), American Robin (March–July).
Which winter birds use Eastern red cedar in Florida?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Red Crossbill, Palm Warbler, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill use it in Florida during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Florida
- 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.