Eastern red cedar for birds in Virginia
Winter cover. Native to Virginia, where it feeds or shelters 40 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Virginia
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–8a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Virginia birds supported
- 40
- Nesting birds among them
- 28
Growing conditions in Virginia
Humid subtropical in the east, cooler and snowier in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny highlands.
Warm, humid summers; House Wrens and hummingbirds breed statewide.
Virginia birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (13)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Brown-headed Nuthatch
Summer breeders (15)
Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Pine Warbler, 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 (12)
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, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill
Moderate winters with periodic snow; purple finches and occasional northern finches visit feeders.
Nesting season it supports in Virginia
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 Virginia
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 Virginia?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Virginia. Virginia spans USDA 5b–8a.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Virginia?
In Virginia, 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 Virginia?
28 of those birds nest in Virginia: 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 Virginia?
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, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill use it in Virginia during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Virginia
- 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.