Ocotillo for birds in California
Red spring flower spikes timed to hummingbird and oriole migration. Native to California, where it feeds or shelters 8 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Fouquieria splendens
- Native status
- Native in California
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5a–11a
- What birds get from it
- nectar
- California birds supported
- 8
- Nesting birds among them
- 8
Growing conditions in California
Mediterranean along the coast and Central Valley, alpine in the Sierra Nevada, and desert in the southeast.
Dry summers with little rain from May to October; water and summer-blooming natives matter more than extra seed.
California birds that use Ocotillo
Year-round residents (5)
Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Verdin, Hooded Oriole
Summer breeders (3)
Black-chinned Hummingbird, Bullock's Oriole, White-winged Dove
Nesting season it supports in California
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Ocotillo:
- Anna's Hummingbird — November–May
- Black-chinned Hummingbird — March–July
- Costa's Hummingbird — January–May
- Gila Woodpecker — March–July
- Verdin — February–June
- Bullock's Oriole — April–July
- White-winged Dove — March–August
- Hooded Oriole — February–July
Native plants to pair with Ocotillo in California
Scarlet late-summer spikes; a hummingbird magnet in moist soil.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Orchid-like flowers through summer for hummingbirds and orioles.
Frequently asked
Is Ocotillo native to California?
Yes. Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is recorded as native in California. California spans USDA 5a–11a.
What birds does Ocotillo attract in California?
In California, Ocotillo supports 8 backyard birds, including Anna's Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Verdin, Bullock's Oriole.
Does Ocotillo help nesting birds in California?
8 of those birds nest in California: Anna's Hummingbird (November–May), Black-chinned Hummingbird (March–July), Costa's Hummingbird (January–May), Gila Woodpecker (March–July).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — California
- 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.