Fireweed for birds in Alaska
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower. Native to Alaska, where it feeds or shelters 26 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Chamaenerion angustifolium
- Native status
- Native in Alaska
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 1a–8a
- What birds get from it
- nectar, seed
- Alaska birds supported
- 26
- Nesting birds among them
- 26
Growing conditions in Alaska
Subarctic interior, temperate rainforest in the Southeast panhandle, and Arctic tundra on the North Slope.
A short, explosive summer with near-continuous daylight compresses nesting into a few weeks.
Alaska birds that use Fireweed
Year-round residents (7)
Black-capped Chickadee, Pine Siskin, Black-billed Magpie, Mallard, Hoary Redpoll, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (19)
Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Rufous Hummingbird, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Canada Goose, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Horned Lark, Common Redpoll, Rusty Blackbird
Nesting season it supports in Alaska
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Fireweed:
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
- Song Sparrow — May–August
- Chipping Sparrow — May–July
- Red-winged Blackbird — May–July
- Pine Siskin — May–June
- Common Redpoll — July
- American Tree Sparrow — July
- Black-billed Magpie — May–June
- Rufous Hummingbird — June
Native plants to pair with Fireweed in Alaska
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Fireweed native to Alaska?
Yes. Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) is recorded as native in Alaska. Alaska spans USDA 1a–8a.
What birds does Fireweed attract in Alaska?
In Alaska, Fireweed supports 26 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Pine Siskin.
Does Fireweed help nesting birds in Alaska?
26 of those birds nest in Alaska: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Dark-eyed Junco (June–July), Song Sparrow (May–August), Chipping Sparrow (May–July).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alaska
- 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.