Wild bergamot for birds in Alberta
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches. Native to Alberta, where it feeds or shelters 45 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Monarda fistulosa
- Native status
- Native in Alberta
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 2a–4b
- What birds get from it
- nectar, seed
- Alberta birds supported
- 45
- Nesting birds among them
- 39
Growing conditions in Alberta
Continental — prairie in the southeast, aspen parkland in the center, boreal forest in the north and the Rockies in the west.
Warm, sunny summers with long days.
Alberta birds that use Wild bergamot
Year-round residents (14)
Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Mallard, Brown-headed Cowbird, Canada Goose, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (25)
American Goldfinch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Mourning Dove, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Rufous Hummingbird, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Horned Lark, 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 winters broken by chinook thaws in the south.
Nesting season it supports in Alberta
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Wild bergamot:
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- American Goldfinch — August–September
- Purple Finch — June–July
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — June–August
- Mourning Dove — April–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Song Sparrow — May–August
- Chipping Sparrow — May–July
- Common Grackle — May–June
Native plants to pair with Wild bergamot in Alberta
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Wild bergamot native to Alberta?
Yes. Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is recorded as native in Alberta. Alberta spans Canada 2a–4b.
What birds does Wild bergamot attract in Alberta?
In Alberta, Wild bergamot supports 45 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco.
Does Wild bergamot help nesting birds in Alberta?
39 of those birds nest in Alberta: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (August–September), Purple Finch (June–July), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (June–August).
Which winter birds use Wild bergamot in Alberta?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Alberta during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alberta
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- 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.