Eastern red cedar for birds in New York
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to New York, where it feeds or shelters 44 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in New York
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–7b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- New York birds supported
- 44
- Nesting birds among them
- 39
Growing conditions in New York
Humid continental, from cold Adirondack highlands to the maritime-moderated coast of Long Island.
Warm summers with a shorter nesting season upstate than downstate.
New York birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (21)
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, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, White-winged Crossbill, Monk Parakeet
Summer breeders (18)
Eastern Bluebird, 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, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (5)
Common Redpoll, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing
Long, snowy winters upstate; lake-effect snow belts make feeders and roost boxes important.
Nesting season it supports in New York
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 New York
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 New York?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in New York. New York spans USDA 3b–7b.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in New York?
In New York, Eastern red cedar supports 44 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in New York?
39 of those birds nest in New York: 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 New York?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing use it in New York during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New York
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
- New York Breeding Bird Atlas III
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.