Rocky Mountain juniper for birds in British Columbia
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter. Native to British Columbia, where it feeds or shelters 48 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus scopulorum
- Native status
- Native in British Columbia
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–9a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- British Columbia birds supported
- 48
- Nesting birds among them
- 46
Growing conditions in British Columbia
Temperate rainforest on the coast, dry interior valleys and mountains, and boreal forest in the northeast.
Dry, warm coastal summers; hot in the Okanagan.
British Columbia birds that use Rocky Mountain juniper
Year-round residents (28)
Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Steller's Jay, Canada Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch, Cassin's Finch, Spotted Towhee, Varied Thrush, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Clark's Nutcracker, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, White-headed Woodpecker, White-winged Crossbill
Summer breeders (18)
White-throated Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, 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)
Mild, wet coastal winters where Anna's Hummingbirds now overwinter; cold interior winters.
Nesting season it supports in British Columbia
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
- 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
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
- Evening Grosbeak — July
Native plants to pair with Rocky Mountain juniper in British Columbia
Frequently asked
Is Rocky Mountain juniper native to British Columbia?
Yes. Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) is recorded as native in British Columbia. British Columbia spans Canada 1a–9a.
What birds does Rocky Mountain juniper attract in British Columbia?
In British Columbia, Rocky Mountain juniper supports 48 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker.
Does Rocky Mountain juniper help nesting birds in British Columbia?
46 of those birds nest in British Columbia: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), House Finch (May–August), Purple Finch (June–July), American Robin (May–July).
Which winter birds use Rocky Mountain juniper in British Columbia?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Common Redpoll use it in British Columbia during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — British Columbia
- 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.