Eastern red cedar for birds in Quebec
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to Quebec, where it feeds or shelters 40 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Quebec
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–5b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Quebec birds supported
- 40
- Nesting birds among them
- 37
Growing conditions in Quebec
Humid continental in the St. Lawrence valley, boreal forest to the north, tundra in Nunavik.
Warm, humid summers in the south.
Quebec birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (18)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, White-winged Crossbill
Summer breeders (19)
Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Fox Sparrow, Scarlet Tanager, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo
Winter visitors (3)
Long, cold, snowy winters.
Nesting season it supports in Quebec
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 — May–August
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- House Finch — May–August
- Purple Finch — June–July
- American Robin — May–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
- Red-breasted Nuthatch — June
Native plants to pair with Eastern red cedar in Quebec
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Frequently asked
Is Eastern red cedar native to Quebec?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Quebec. Quebec spans Canada 0a–5b.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Quebec?
In Quebec, Eastern red cedar supports 40 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in Quebec?
37 of those birds nest in Quebec: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), House Finch (May–August).
Which winter birds use Eastern red cedar in Quebec?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Quebec during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Quebec
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- 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.