Eastern red cedar for birds in Georgia
Winter berry-cones and dense roosting cover. Native to Georgia, where it feeds or shelters 39 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Georgia
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7a–9a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Georgia birds supported
- 39
- Nesting birds among them
- 25
Growing conditions in Georgia
Humid subtropical, with cooler mountains in the north and a warm coastal plain in the south.
Hot, humid summers; bluebirds can raise three broods but boxes in full sun overheat.
Georgia birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (14)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Pine Warbler, European Starling, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch
Summer breeders (11)
Orchard Oriole, Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Yellow-throated Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, 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
Mild winters bring irregular purple finch and pine-siskin irruptions from the north.
Nesting season it supports in Georgia
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–August
- 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 Georgia
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Eastern red cedar native to Georgia?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Georgia. Georgia spans USDA 7a–9a.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Georgia?
In Georgia, 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 Georgia?
25 of those birds nest in Georgia: Northern Cardinal (March–September), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), House Finch (March–August), American Robin (March–July).
Which winter birds use Eastern red cedar in Georgia?
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 Georgia during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Georgia
- 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.