Fireweed for birds in Wyoming
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower. Native to Wyoming, where it feeds or shelters 47 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Chamaenerion angustifolium
- Native status
- Native in Wyoming
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
- What birds get from it
- nectar, seed
- Wyoming birds supported
- 47
- Nesting birds among them
- 42
Growing conditions in Wyoming
Semi-arid high plains and basins with major mountain ranges; most towns lie above 5,000 ft.
Short, warm summers with cool nights.
Wyoming birds that use Fireweed
Year-round residents (22)
Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Cassin's Finch, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Brown-headed Cowbird, Black-throated Sparrow, Pinyon Jay, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Brewer's Blackbird, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (20)
American Goldfinch, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Lesser Goldfinch, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, Lark Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird
Winter visitors (5)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll
Cold, very windy winters.
Nesting season it supports in Wyoming
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
- House Finch — May–August
- Mourning Dove — April–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
- Song Sparrow — May–August
- Chipping Sparrow — May–July
- Common Grackle — May–June
- Red-winged Blackbird — May–July
- Evening Grosbeak — July
Native plants to pair with Fireweed in Wyoming
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.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Frequently asked
Is Fireweed native to Wyoming?
Yes. Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) is recorded as native in Wyoming. Wyoming spans USDA 3a–5b.
What birds does Fireweed attract in Wyoming?
In Wyoming, Fireweed supports 47 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow.
Does Fireweed help nesting birds in Wyoming?
42 of those birds nest in Wyoming: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (August–September), House Finch (May–August), Mourning Dove (April–September).
Which winter birds use Fireweed in Wyoming?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll use it in Wyoming during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Wyoming
- 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.