Rocky Mountain juniper for birds in Colorado
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter. Native to Colorado, where it feeds or shelters 46 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus scopulorum
- Native status
- Native in Colorado
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–7b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Colorado birds supported
- 46
- Nesting birds among them
- 44
Growing conditions in Colorado
Semi-arid high plains in the east and the Rocky Mountains through the center, with most backyards between 5,000 and 7,000 ft.
Warm, dry days and cool nights; afternoon storms are common in July and August.
Colorado birds that use Rocky Mountain juniper
Year-round residents (27)
Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Steller's Jay, Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay, Canada Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Juniper Titmouse, Pygmy Nuthatch, Cassin's Finch, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red Crossbill, Pinyon Jay, Clark's Nutcracker, Band-tailed Pigeon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, American Three-toed Woodpecker
Summer breeders (17)
Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Western Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Pine Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Ash-throated Flycatcher
Winter visitors (2)
Cold snaps alternate with sunny, dry thaws; heated baths are valuable because natural water freezes nightly.
Nesting season it supports in Colorado
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 — April–July
- House Finch — April–August
- American Robin — April–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Red-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
- Evening Grosbeak — June–July
- Pine Siskin — April–June
- Gray Catbird — May–July
- Northern Mockingbird — March–August
- Brown Thrasher — April–July
Native plants to pair with Rocky Mountain juniper in Colorado
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Frequently asked
Is Rocky Mountain juniper native to Colorado?
Yes. Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) is recorded as native in Colorado. Colorado spans USDA 3a–7b.
What birds does Rocky Mountain juniper attract in Colorado?
In Colorado, Rocky Mountain juniper supports 46 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak.
Does Rocky Mountain juniper help nesting birds in Colorado?
44 of those birds nest in Colorado: Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), House Finch (April–August), American Robin (April–July), Northern Flicker (April–June).
Which winter birds use Rocky Mountain juniper in Colorado?
Winter visitors White-winged Crossbill, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Colorado during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Colorado
- 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.