Eastern red cedar for birds in North Carolina
Winter food and cover. Native to North Carolina, where it feeds or shelters 42 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in North Carolina
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–8b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- North Carolina birds supported
- 42
- Nesting birds among them
- 29
Growing conditions in North Carolina
Mountains, Piedmont and coastal plain differ sharply — cool, snowy highlands to mild, humid coast.
Warm and humid in the Piedmont and coast; cooler at elevation.
North Carolina birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (16)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Pine Warbler, European Starling, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch
Summer breeders (13)
Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 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 (13)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Red Crossbill, Palm Warbler, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill
Black-capped Chickadees and other northern birds are confined to the highest mountains; lowlands stay mild.
Nesting season it supports in North Carolina
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 — March–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–June
- House Finch — March–August
- American Robin — April–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Brown-headed Nuthatch — March–May
- Baltimore Oriole — May–July
- Orchard Oriole — May–June
Native plants to pair with Eastern red cedar in North Carolina
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Eastern red cedar native to North Carolina?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in North Carolina. North Carolina spans USDA 5b–8b.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, Eastern red cedar supports 42 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in North Carolina?
29 of those birds nest in North Carolina: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–June), House Finch (March–August).
Which winter birds use Eastern red cedar in North Carolina?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, 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 North Carolina during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — North Carolina
- 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.