Rocky Mountain juniper for birds in Nevada
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter. Native to Nevada, where it feeds or shelters 45 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus scopulorum
- Native status
- Native in Nevada
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–10a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Nevada birds supported
- 45
- Nesting birds among them
- 42
Growing conditions in Nevada
Great Basin cold desert in the north and Mojave hot desert around Las Vegas.
Very hot, dry summers; water is the top attractant.
Nevada birds that use Rocky Mountain juniper
Year-round residents (30)
Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Juniper Titmouse, Pygmy Nuthatch, Cassin's Finch, Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Gila Woodpecker, Cactus Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red Crossbill, Phainopepla, Pinyon Jay, Clark's Nutcracker, Band-tailed Pigeon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, White-headed Woodpecker, Cactus Wren
Summer breeders (12)
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Fox Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, White-winged Dove, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Ash-throated Flycatcher
Winter visitors (3)
Cold, dry winters in Reno and the north; mild winters in the south.
Nesting season it supports in Nevada
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
- Northern Mockingbird — March–August
- Cedar Waxwing — June–August
- Yellow-rumped Warbler — May–July
Native plants to pair with Rocky Mountain juniper in Nevada
Frequently asked
Is Rocky Mountain juniper native to Nevada?
Yes. Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) is recorded as native in Nevada. Nevada spans USDA 4a–10a.
What birds does Rocky Mountain juniper attract in Nevada?
In Nevada, Rocky Mountain juniper supports 45 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 Nevada?
42 of those birds nest in Nevada: 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 Nevada?
Winter visitors Pine Grosbeak, White-winged Crossbill, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Nevada during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Nevada
- 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.