Fireweed for birds in New Brunswick
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower. Native to New Brunswick, where it feeds or shelters 37 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Chamaenerion angustifolium
- Native status
- Native in New Brunswick
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 3a–5b
- What birds get from it
- nectar, seed
- New Brunswick birds supported
- 37
- Nesting birds among them
- 32
Growing conditions in New Brunswick
Humid continental with Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence coastlines and extensive forest.
Mild summers.
New Brunswick birds that use Fireweed
Year-round residents (14)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Brown-headed Cowbird, Canada Goose, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (18)
American Goldfinch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Mourning Dove, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Bobolink, Rusty Blackbird
Winter visitors (5)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Cold, snowy winters.
Nesting season it supports in New Brunswick
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Fireweed:
- Northern Cardinal — May–August
- 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
Native plants to pair with Fireweed in New Brunswick
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Fireweed native to New Brunswick?
Yes. Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) is recorded as native in New Brunswick. New Brunswick spans Canada 3a–5b.
What birds does Fireweed attract in New Brunswick?
In New Brunswick, Fireweed supports 37 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Mourning Dove.
Does Fireweed help nesting birds in New Brunswick?
32 of those birds nest in New Brunswick: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (August–September), Purple Finch (June–July).
Which winter birds use Fireweed in New Brunswick?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in New Brunswick during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Brunswick
- 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.