Rocky Mountain juniper for birds in Washington
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter. Native to Washington, where it feeds or shelters 44 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus scopulorum
- Native status
- Native in Washington
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Washington birds supported
- 44
- Nesting birds among them
- 40
Growing conditions in Washington
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.
Dry, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.
Washington birds that use Rocky Mountain juniper
Year-round residents (29)
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, Canada Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch, Cassin's Finch, Spotted Towhee, 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 (11)
Gray Catbird, Eastern Kingbird, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Ash-throated Flycatcher
Winter visitors (4)
Common Redpoll, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing
Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east.
Nesting season it supports in Washington
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 Washington
Frequently asked
Is Rocky Mountain juniper native to Washington?
Yes. Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) is recorded as native in Washington. Washington spans USDA 4a–9a.
What birds does Rocky Mountain juniper attract in Washington?
In Washington, 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 Washington?
40 of those birds nest in Washington: 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 Washington?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Washington during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Washington
- 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.