Ocotillo for birds in Nevada
Red spring flower spikes timed to hummingbird and oriole migration. Native to Nevada, where it feeds or shelters 9 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Fouquieria splendens
- Native status
- Native in Nevada
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–10a
- What birds get from it
- nectar
- Nevada birds supported
- 9
- Nesting birds among them
- 9
Growing conditions in Nevada
Great Basin cold desert in the north and Mojave hot desert around Las Vegas.
Very hot, dry summers; water is the top attractant.
Nevada birds that use Ocotillo
Year-round residents (3)
Summer breeders (6)
Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Bullock's Oriole, White-winged Dove, Hooded Oriole
Nesting season it supports in Nevada
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 — December–May
- Black-chinned Hummingbird — April–July
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird — June–July
- Costa's Hummingbird — February–May
- Gila Woodpecker — April–July
- Verdin — March–June
- Bullock's Oriole — May–July
- White-winged Dove — April–August
- Hooded Oriole — March–July
Native plants to pair with Ocotillo in Nevada
Scarlet late-summer spikes; a hummingbird magnet in moist soil.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Blue-violet spikes favored by Broad-tailed Hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Ocotillo native to Nevada?
Yes. Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is recorded as native in Nevada. Nevada spans USDA 4a–10a.
What birds does Ocotillo attract in Nevada?
In Nevada, Ocotillo supports 9 backyard birds, including Anna's Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Verdin.
Does Ocotillo help nesting birds in Nevada?
9 of those birds nest in Nevada: Anna's Hummingbird (December–May), Black-chinned Hummingbird (April–July), Broad-tailed Hummingbird (June–July), Costa's Hummingbird (February–May).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Nevada
- 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.