Fireweed for birds in Ontario
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower. Native to Ontario, where it feeds or shelters 46 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Chamaenerion angustifolium
- Native status
- Native in Ontario
- Hardiness zones
- Canadian zones 0a–7a (southern Ontario roughly equivalent to USDA 4–6)
- What birds get from it
- nectar, seed
- Ontario birds supported
- 46
- Nesting birds among them
- 40
Growing conditions in Ontario
Humid continental in the south, boreal and subarctic in the north; most backyard birding happens in the southern Great Lakes lowlands.
Short, warm summers; Point Pelee and Long Point are continent-famous migration sites.
Ontario birds that use Fireweed
Year-round residents (18)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Brown-headed Cowbird, Canada Goose, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (22)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, White-throated Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee, Eastern Meadowlark, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Dickcissel, 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
Cold, snowy winters; feeder flocks are dominated by chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers and finches.
Nesting season it supports in Ontario
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 — July–September
- House Finch — April–August
- Purple Finch — May–July
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — June–August
- Mourning Dove — April–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Song Sparrow — May–August
Native plants to pair with Fireweed in Ontario
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Frequently asked
Is Fireweed native to Ontario?
Yes. Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) is recorded as native in Ontario. Ontario spans Canadian zones 0a–7a (southern Ontario roughly equivalent to USDA 4–6).
What birds does Fireweed attract in Ontario?
In Ontario, Fireweed supports 46 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Does Fireweed help nesting birds in Ontario?
40 of those birds nest in Ontario: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (July–September), House Finch (April–August).
Which winter birds use Fireweed in Ontario?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Ontario during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Ontario
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- Audubon Native Plants Database
- Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas — Birds Canada
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.