Eastern red cedar for birds in Minnesota
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to Minnesota, where it feeds or shelters 39 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Minnesota
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Minnesota birds supported
- 39
- Nesting birds among them
- 34
Growing conditions in Minnesota
Continental, with very cold winters and warm summers; prairie in the west, boreal forest in the northeast.
A short, intense breeding season; most nesting runs May through July.
Minnesota 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 (17)
Eastern Bluebird, White-throated Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, 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
Temperatures below 0°F are routine — heated water, suet and roost boxes are survival aids, not extras.
Nesting season it supports in Minnesota
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 — April–August
- Purple Finch — May–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 Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Minnesota. Minnesota spans USDA 3a–5b.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, 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 Minnesota?
34 of those birds nest in Minnesota: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), House Finch (April–August).
Which winter birds use Eastern red cedar in Minnesota?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Minnesota during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Minnesota
- 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.