Eastern red cedar for birds in Texas
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to Texas, where it feeds or shelters 50 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Texas
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6b–10a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Texas birds supported
- 50
- Nesting birds among them
- 34
Growing conditions in Texas
Humid subtropical in the east and along the Gulf, semi-arid to arid in the west; long, hot summers and short, mild winters over most of the state.
Afternoon highs regularly exceed 95°F — nest boxes need shade or light-colored, ventilated construction, and water matters as much as food.
Texas birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (25)
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, Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, White-winged Dove, Phainopepla, Band-tailed Pigeon, White-eyed Vireo, Great Kiskadee, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Cactus Wren, Monk Parakeet
Summer breeders (9)
Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Bullock's Oriole, Yellow-throated Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (16)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Red Crossbill, Palm Warbler, Northern Saw-whet Owl
Hard freezes are brief outside the Panhandle, so most feeder birds face heat and drought stress more than cold.
Nesting season it supports in Texas
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 — March–September
- Eastern Bluebird — March–July
- House Finch — March–August
- American Robin — March–July
- Northern Flicker — March–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — March–June
- Brown-headed Nuthatch — February–May
- Baltimore Oriole — April–July
- Orchard Oriole — April–June
- Eastern Towhee — April–July
Native plants to pair with Eastern red cedar in Texas
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
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 Texas?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Texas. Texas spans USDA 6b–10a.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Texas?
In Texas, Eastern red cedar supports 50 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in Texas?
34 of those birds nest in Texas: Northern Cardinal (March–September), Eastern Bluebird (March–July), House Finch (March–August), American Robin (March–July).
Which winter birds use Eastern red cedar in Texas?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Red Crossbill, Palm Warbler, Northern Saw-whet Owl use it in Texas during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Texas
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
- Texas Breeding Bird Atlas — Texas A&M
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.