Eastern red cedar for birds in Iowa
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to Iowa, where it feeds or shelters 34 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Iowa
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–6a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Iowa birds supported
- 34
- Nesting birds among them
- 24
Growing conditions in Iowa
Humid continental prairie state, with loess hills in the west and the Driftless Area in the northeast.
Hot, humid summers with thunderstorms.
Iowa birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (8)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling
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 (10)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill, Bohemian Waxwing
Cold, windy winters; open farmland makes backyard shelter and feeders a lifeline.
Nesting season it supports in Iowa
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 Iowa
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 Iowa?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Iowa. Iowa spans USDA 4b–6a.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Iowa?
In Iowa, Eastern red cedar supports 34 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in Iowa?
24 of those birds nest in Iowa: 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 Iowa?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Iowa during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Iowa
- 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.