Eastern red cedar for birds in Illinois
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to Illinois, where it feeds or shelters 38 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Illinois
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5a–7b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Illinois birds supported
- 38
- Nesting birds among them
- 26
Growing conditions in Illinois
Humid continental, grading from the Lake Michigan shore and prairie north to the forested Shawnee Hills in the south.
Hot, humid summers; much of the state is farmland, so backyard native plantings matter.
Illinois birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (10)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Monk Parakeet
Summer breeders (16)
Eastern Bluebird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, 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 (12)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill, Bohemian Waxwing
Cold, windy winters in the north; the southern tip is milder and hosts more wintering species.
Nesting season it supports in Illinois
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 — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- House Finch — April–August
- American Robin — April–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Baltimore Oriole — May–July
- Orchard Oriole — May–June
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — May–July
Native plants to pair with Eastern red cedar in Illinois
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 Illinois?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Illinois. Illinois spans USDA 5a–7b.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Illinois?
In Illinois, Eastern red cedar supports 38 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in Illinois?
26 of those birds nest in Illinois: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), House Finch (April–August).
Which winter birds use Eastern red cedar in Illinois?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Illinois during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Illinois
- 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.