Eastern red cedar for birds in Mississippi
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to Mississippi, where it feeds or shelters 39 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Mississippi
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7b–9a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Mississippi birds supported
- 39
- Nesting birds among them
- 25
Growing conditions in Mississippi
Humid subtropical, with the Delta in the northwest, piney woods in the south and a short Gulf coastline.
Long, hot, humid summers.
Mississippi birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (14)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Pine Warbler, European Starling, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch
Summer breeders (11)
Orchard Oriole, Gray Catbird, 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 (14)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Red Crossbill, Palm Warbler, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill
Mild winters with rare hard freezes.
Nesting season it supports in Mississippi
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 — March–August
- Eastern Bluebird — March–August
- House Finch — March–August
- American Robin — March–July
- Northern Flicker — March–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — March–June
- Brown-headed Nuthatch — February–May
- Orchard Oriole — April–June
- Eastern Towhee — April–July
- Gray Catbird — April–July
Native plants to pair with Eastern red cedar in Mississippi
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 Mississippi?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Mississippi. Mississippi spans USDA 7b–9a.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, Eastern red cedar supports 39 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in Mississippi?
25 of those birds nest in Mississippi: Northern Cardinal (March–August), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), House Finch (March–August), American Robin (March–July).
Which winter birds use Eastern red cedar in Mississippi?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Red Crossbill, Palm Warbler, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill use it in Mississippi during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Mississippi
- 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.