Eastern red cedar for birds in Nebraska
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to Nebraska, where it feeds or shelters 35 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Nebraska
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–5b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Nebraska birds supported
- 35
- Nesting birds among them
- 26
Growing conditions in Nebraska
Continental, from tallgrass prairie in the east to the Sandhills and shortgrass in the west.
Hot summers with thunderstorms.
Nebraska birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (9)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Pygmy Nuthatch
Summer breeders (17)
Eastern Bluebird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Kingbird, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (9)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill
Cold, windy winters; the Platte River corridor holds most wintering birds.
Nesting season it supports in Nebraska
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
- Baltimore Oriole — May–July
- Orchard Oriole — May–June
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — May–July
- Gray Catbird — May–July
Native plants to pair with Eastern red cedar in Nebraska
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
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 Nebraska?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Nebraska. Nebraska spans USDA 4b–5b.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Nebraska?
In Nebraska, 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 Nebraska?
26 of those birds nest in Nebraska: 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 Nebraska?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill use it in Nebraska during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Nebraska
- 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.