Wild bergamot for birds in Nevada
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches. Native to Nevada, where it feeds or shelters 54 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Monarda fistulosa
- Native status
- Native in Nevada
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–10a
- What birds get from it
- nectar, seed
- Nevada birds supported
- 54
- Nesting birds among them
- 49
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 Wild bergamot
Year-round residents (31)
Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Anna's Hummingbird, Lesser Goldfinch, Cassin's Finch, Spotted Towhee, Gambel's Quail, California Quail, Gila Woodpecker, Verdin, 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, Great-tailed Grackle, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (18)
Chipping Sparrow, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Fox Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, White-winged Dove, Hooded Oriole, Lark Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird
Winter visitors (5)
American Goldfinch, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur
Cold, dry winters in Reno and the north; mild winters in the south.
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 Wild bergamot:
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- House Finch — April–August
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — May–July
- Song Sparrow — April–August
- Chipping Sparrow — April–July
- Red-winged Blackbird — April–July
- Evening Grosbeak — June–July
- Pine Siskin — April–June
- House Sparrow — April–August
Native plants to pair with Wild bergamot in Nevada
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 Nevada?
Yes. Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is recorded as native in Nevada. Nevada spans USDA 4a–10a.
What birds does Wild bergamot attract in Nevada?
In Nevada, Wild bergamot supports 54 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow.
Does Wild bergamot help nesting birds in Nevada?
49 of those birds nest in Nevada: Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), House Finch (April–August), Mourning Dove (March–September), Dark-eyed Junco (May–July).
Which winter birds use Wild bergamot in Nevada?
Winter visitors American Goldfinch, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur use it in Nevada during the cold months.
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.