Rocky Mountain juniper for birds in Oregon
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter. Native to Oregon, where it feeds or shelters 44 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus scopulorum
- Native status
- Native in Oregon
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Oregon birds supported
- 44
- Nesting birds among them
- 42
Growing conditions in Oregon
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.
Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.
Oregon birds that use Rocky Mountain juniper
Year-round residents (32)
Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, European Starling, Steller's Jay, Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay, Canada Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Juniper Titmouse, Pygmy Nuthatch, Cassin's Finch, Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Red Crossbill, Clark's Nutcracker, Band-tailed Pigeon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, White-headed Woodpecker
Summer breeders (10)
Gray Catbird, Eastern Kingbird, Mountain Bluebird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Ash-throated Flycatcher
Winter visitors (2)
Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades.
Nesting season it supports in Oregon
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
- Purple Finch — May–July
- American Robin — April–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Red-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
- Evening Grosbeak — June–July
- Pine Siskin — April–June
- Gray Catbird — May–July
Native plants to pair with Rocky Mountain juniper in Oregon
Frequently asked
Is Rocky Mountain juniper native to Oregon?
Yes. Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) is recorded as native in Oregon. Oregon spans USDA 4b–9b.
What birds does Rocky Mountain juniper attract in Oregon?
In Oregon, Rocky Mountain juniper supports 44 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker.
Does Rocky Mountain juniper help nesting birds in Oregon?
42 of those birds nest in Oregon: Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), House Finch (April–August), Purple Finch (May–July), American Robin (April–July).
Which winter birds use Rocky Mountain juniper in Oregon?
Winter visitors Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Oregon during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Oregon
- 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.