Fireweed for birds in Northwest Territories
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower. Native to Northwest Territories, where it feeds or shelters 28 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Chamaenerion angustifolium
- Native status
- Native in Northwest Territories
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–1a
- What birds get from it
- nectar, seed
- Northwest Territories birds supported
- 28
- Nesting birds among them
- 28
Growing conditions in Northwest Territories
Subarctic boreal forest in the south, Arctic tundra in the north.
Brief summers with midnight sun.
Northwest Territories birds that use Fireweed
Year-round residents (5)
Black-capped Chickadee, Pine Siskin, Mallard, Hoary Redpoll, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (23)
Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, American Crow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Canada Goose, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Horned Lark, Common Redpoll, Rusty Blackbird
Nesting season it supports in Northwest Territories
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
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Song Sparrow — May–August
- Chipping Sparrow — May–July
- Red-winged Blackbird — May–July
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
- Pine Siskin — May–June
- Common Redpoll — July
- American Tree Sparrow — July
Native plants to pair with Fireweed in Northwest Territories
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Fireweed native to Northwest Territories?
Yes. Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) is recorded as native in Northwest Territories. Northwest Territories spans Canada 0a–1a.
What birds does Fireweed attract in Northwest Territories?
In Northwest Territories, Fireweed supports 28 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird.
Does Fireweed help nesting birds in Northwest Territories?
28 of those birds nest in Northwest Territories: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Dark-eyed Junco (June–July), White-throated Sparrow (June–July), Song Sparrow (May–August).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Northwest Territories
- 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.