Rocky Mountain juniper for birds in Alberta
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter. Native to Alberta, where it feeds or shelters 43 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus scopulorum
- Native status
- Native in Alberta
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 2a–4b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Alberta birds supported
- 43
- Nesting birds among them
- 41
Growing conditions in Alberta
Continental — prairie in the southeast, aspen parkland in the center, boreal forest in the north and the Rockies in the west.
Warm, sunny summers with long days.
Alberta birds that use Rocky Mountain juniper
Year-round residents (18)
Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Finch, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, European Starling, Steller's Jay, Canada Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Clark's Nutcracker, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, White-winged Crossbill
Summer breeders (23)
American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Bullock's Oriole, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Bohemian Waxwing
Winter visitors (2)
Cold winters broken by chinook thaws in the south.
Nesting season it supports in Alberta
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Rocky Mountain juniper:
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- 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
- Baltimore Oriole — June–July
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
- Evening Grosbeak — July
Native plants to pair with Rocky Mountain juniper in Alberta
Frequently asked
Is Rocky Mountain juniper native to Alberta?
Yes. Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) is recorded as native in Alberta. Alberta spans Canada 2a–4b.
What birds does Rocky Mountain juniper attract in Alberta?
In Alberta, Rocky Mountain juniper supports 43 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker.
Does Rocky Mountain juniper help nesting birds in Alberta?
41 of those birds nest in Alberta: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Purple Finch (June–July), American Robin (May–July), White-throated Sparrow (June–July).
Which winter birds use Rocky Mountain juniper in Alberta?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Common Redpoll use it in Alberta during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alberta
- 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.