Eastern red cedar for birds in Kansas
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to Kansas, where it feeds or shelters 35 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Kansas
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–7a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Kansas birds supported
- 35
- Nesting birds among them
- 24
Growing conditions in Kansas
Continental — humid tallgrass Flint Hills in the east to semi-arid shortgrass prairie in the west.
Hot summers above 95°F; western Kansas is dry, so water draws birds from far away.
Kansas birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (9)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling
Summer breeders (15)
Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Bullock's Oriole, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-throated Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (11)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Northern Saw-whet Owl
Cold, dry winters with strong wind; windbreaks and evergreens are prime roost cover.
Nesting season it supports in Kansas
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 Kansas
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 Kansas?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Kansas. Kansas spans USDA 5b–7a.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Kansas?
In Kansas, Eastern red cedar supports 35 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in Kansas?
24 of those birds nest in Kansas: 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 Kansas?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Northern Saw-whet Owl use it in Kansas during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Kansas
- 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.