Eastern red cedar for birds in Michigan
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to Michigan, where it feeds or shelters 41 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Michigan
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–6b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Michigan birds supported
- 41
- Nesting birds among them
- 36
Growing conditions in Michigan
Humid continental, strongly shaped by the Great Lakes; colder and snowier in the Upper Peninsula.
A compressed nesting season; bluebirds usually manage one or two broods.
Michigan birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (17)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay, Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, White-winged Crossbill
Summer breeders (19)
Eastern Bluebird, White-throated Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard 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, Yellow-breasted Chat, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (5)
Common Redpoll, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing
Lake-effect snow and long cold spells; Purple Finches breed in the north and winter farther south.
Nesting season it supports in Michigan
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
- Purple Finch — May–July
- American Robin — April–July
- White-throated Sparrow — May–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Red-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
Native plants to pair with Eastern red cedar in Michigan
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 Michigan?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Michigan. Michigan spans USDA 4a–6b.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Michigan?
In Michigan, Eastern red cedar supports 41 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in Michigan?
36 of those birds nest in Michigan: 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 Michigan?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Michigan during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Michigan
- 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.