Eastern red cedar for birds in Rhode Island
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to Rhode Island, where it feeds or shelters 37 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Rhode Island
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–7b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Rhode Island birds supported
- 37
- Nesting birds among them
- 30
Growing conditions in Rhode Island
Humid continental with strong maritime moderation around Narragansett Bay.
Warm summers with sea breezes.
Rhode Island birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (16)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, White-winged Crossbill
Summer breeders (14)
Eastern Bluebird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (7)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing
Relatively mild coastal winters for New England.
Nesting season it supports in Rhode Island
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
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Red-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
- Baltimore Oriole — May–July
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — May–July
Native plants to pair with Eastern red cedar in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Rhode Island. Rhode Island spans USDA 6a–7b.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, Eastern red cedar supports 37 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in Rhode Island?
30 of those birds nest in Rhode Island: 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 Rhode Island?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Rhode Island during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Rhode Island
- 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.