Wild bergamot for birds in North Dakota
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches. Native to North Dakota, where it feeds or shelters 52 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Monarda fistulosa
- Native status
- Native in North Dakota
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–4b
- What birds get from it
- nectar, seed
- North Dakota birds supported
- 52
- Nesting birds among them
- 40
Growing conditions in North Dakota
Continental northern prairie with prairie-pothole wetlands and the Missouri River breaks.
Short, warm summers with a peak nesting season in June.
North Dakota birds that use Wild bergamot
Year-round residents (17)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Mourning Dove, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (23)
American Goldfinch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Spotted Towhee, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (12)
Dark-eyed Junco, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
Severe winters to −30°F; Snow Buntings and redpolls arrive from the Arctic.
Nesting season it supports in North Dakota
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Wild bergamot:
- Northern Cardinal — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- American Goldfinch — August–September
- House Finch — May–August
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — June–August
- Mourning Dove — April–September
- Song Sparrow — May–August
- Chipping Sparrow — May–July
- Common Grackle — May–June
- Red-winged Blackbird — May–July
Native plants to pair with Wild bergamot in North Dakota
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Frequently asked
Is Wild bergamot native to North Dakota?
Yes. Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is recorded as native in North Dakota. North Dakota spans USDA 3a–4b.
What birds does Wild bergamot attract in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, Wild bergamot supports 52 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Mourning Dove.
Does Wild bergamot help nesting birds in North Dakota?
40 of those birds nest in North Dakota: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (August–September), House Finch (May–August).
Which winter birds use Wild bergamot in North Dakota?
Winter visitors Dark-eyed Junco, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch use it in North Dakota during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — North Dakota
- 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.