Fireweed for birds in Manitoba
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower. Native to Manitoba, where it feeds or shelters 42 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Chamaenerion angustifolium
- Native status
- Native in Manitoba
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–3b
- What birds get from it
- nectar, seed
- Manitoba birds supported
- 42
- Nesting birds among them
- 36
Growing conditions in Manitoba
Continental, from prairie in the southwest to boreal forest and Hudson Bay tundra in the north.
Warm summers with a short, intense nesting season.
Manitoba birds that use Fireweed
Year-round residents (12)
Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Finch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Mallard, Brown-headed Cowbird, Canada Goose, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (24)
American Goldfinch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Wood Duck, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird
Winter visitors (6)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Very cold winters to −30°F.
Nesting season it supports in Manitoba
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
- Purple Finch — June–July
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — June–August
- Mourning Dove — April–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Song Sparrow — May–August
- Chipping Sparrow — May–July
- Common Grackle — May–June
Native plants to pair with Fireweed in Manitoba
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Fireweed native to Manitoba?
Yes. Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) is recorded as native in Manitoba. Manitoba spans Canada 1a–3b.
What birds does Fireweed attract in Manitoba?
In Manitoba, Fireweed supports 42 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco.
Does Fireweed help nesting birds in Manitoba?
36 of those birds nest in Manitoba: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (August–September), Purple Finch (June–July), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (June–August).
Which winter birds use Fireweed in Manitoba?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Manitoba during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Manitoba
- 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.