Fireweed for birds in South Dakota
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower. Native to South Dakota, where it feeds or shelters 53 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Chamaenerion angustifolium
- Native status
- Native in South Dakota
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–5b
- What birds get from it
- nectar, seed
- South Dakota birds supported
- 53
- Nesting birds among them
- 41
Growing conditions in South Dakota
Continental, with prairie east of the Missouri River and the forested Black Hills in the west.
Warm summers with thunderstorms; the Black Hills host western mountain birds.
South Dakota birds that use Fireweed
Year-round residents (20)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (21)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Spotted Towhee, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (12)
Dark-eyed Junco, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
Cold, windy winters.
Nesting season it supports in South Dakota
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 — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- House Finch — April–August
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — May–August
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- Song Sparrow — April–August
- Chipping Sparrow — April–July
- Common Grackle — April–June
- Red-winged Blackbird — April–July
Native plants to pair with Fireweed in South Dakota
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.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Frequently asked
Is Fireweed native to South Dakota?
Yes. Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) is recorded as native in South Dakota. South Dakota spans USDA 3b–5b.
What birds does Fireweed attract in South Dakota?
In South Dakota, Fireweed supports 53 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Mourning Dove.
Does Fireweed help nesting birds in South Dakota?
41 of those birds nest in South Dakota: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), American Goldfinch (July–September), House Finch (April–August).
Which winter birds use Fireweed in South Dakota?
Winter visitors Dark-eyed Junco, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch use it in South Dakota during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — South Dakota
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.