Eastern red cedar for birds in Maine
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to Maine, where it feeds or shelters 39 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Maine
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–6b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Maine birds supported
- 39
- Nesting birds among them
- 35
Growing conditions in Maine
Humid continental with a long, rocky Atlantic coast and extensive northern spruce-fir forest.
Cool, short summers; many songbirds do not begin nesting until late May.
Maine birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (19)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, White-winged Crossbill
Summer breeders (16)
Eastern Bluebird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (4)
Common Redpoll, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing
Long, snowy winters; boreal finches and Pine Grosbeaks irrupt south in poor cone years.
Nesting season it supports in Maine
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 — May–August
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- House Finch — May–August
- Purple Finch — June–July
- American Robin — May–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
- Red-breasted Nuthatch — June
Native plants to pair with Eastern red cedar in Maine
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 Maine?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Maine. Maine spans USDA 3b–6b.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Maine?
In Maine, Eastern red cedar supports 39 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in Maine?
35 of those birds nest in Maine: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), House Finch (May–August).
Which winter birds use Eastern red cedar in Maine?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Maine during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Maine
- 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.