Eastern red cedar for birds in Oklahoma
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to Oklahoma, where it feeds or shelters 44 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Oklahoma
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–8a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Oklahoma birds supported
- 44
- Nesting birds among them
- 31
Growing conditions in Oklahoma
Humid in the forested east, semi-arid in the western plains and Panhandle.
Hot summers with strong winds; water is especially valuable in the west.
Oklahoma birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (17)
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, Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Curve-billed Thrasher, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch
Summer breeders (14)
Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Bullock's Oriole, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-throated Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (13)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill
Mild winters with occasional severe ice storms.
Nesting season it supports in Oklahoma
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
- House Finch — April–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
- Eastern Towhee — May–July
Native plants to pair with Eastern red cedar in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Oklahoma. Oklahoma spans USDA 6a–8a.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, Eastern red cedar supports 44 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in Oklahoma?
31 of those birds nest in Oklahoma: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), House Finch (April–August), American Robin (April–July).
Which winter birds use Eastern red cedar in Oklahoma?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill use it in Oklahoma during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Oklahoma
- 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.