Fireweed for birds in British Columbia
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower. Native to British Columbia, where it feeds or shelters 49 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Chamaenerion angustifolium
- Native status
- Native in British Columbia
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–9a
- What birds get from it
- nectar, seed
- British Columbia birds supported
- 49
- Nesting birds among them
- 45
Growing conditions in British Columbia
Temperate rainforest on the coast, dry interior valleys and mountains, and boreal forest in the northeast.
Dry, warm coastal summers; hot in the Okanagan.
British Columbia birds that use Fireweed
Year-round residents (20)
Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Anna's Hummingbird, Cassin's Finch, Spotted Towhee, California Quail, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Mallard, Brown-headed Cowbird, Canada Goose, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (25)
American Goldfinch, Mourning Dove, White-throated Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, Wood Duck, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird
Winter visitors (4)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Mild, wet coastal winters where Anna's Hummingbirds now overwinter; cold interior winters.
Nesting season it supports in British Columbia
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
- American Goldfinch — August–September
- House Finch — May–August
- Purple Finch — June–July
- Mourning Dove — April–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Song Sparrow — May–August
- Chipping Sparrow — May–July
- Red-winged Blackbird — May–July
Native plants to pair with Fireweed in British Columbia
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Frequently asked
Is Fireweed native to British Columbia?
Yes. Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) is recorded as native in British Columbia. British Columbia spans Canada 1a–9a.
What birds does Fireweed attract in British Columbia?
In British Columbia, Fireweed supports 49 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco.
Does Fireweed help nesting birds in British Columbia?
45 of those birds nest in British Columbia: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (August–September), House Finch (May–August), Purple Finch (June–July).
Which winter birds use Fireweed in British Columbia?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in British Columbia during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — British Columbia
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- 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.