Wild bergamot for birds in Oklahoma
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches. Native to Oklahoma, where it feeds or shelters 57 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Monarda fistulosa
- Native status
- Native in Oklahoma
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–8a
- What birds get from it
- nectar, seed
- Oklahoma birds supported
- 57
- Nesting birds among them
- 40
Growing conditions in Oklahoma
Humid in the forested east, semi-arid in the western plains and Panhandle.
Hot summers with strong winds; water is especially valuable in the west.
Oklahoma birds that use Wild bergamot
Year-round residents (22)
Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, House Sparrow, Canyon Towhee, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Great-tailed Grackle, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (18)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Chipping Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Lesser Goldfinch, Bullock's Oriole, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (17)
American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Hoary Redpoll, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Rusty Blackbird
Mild winters with occasional severe ice storms.
Nesting season it supports in Oklahoma
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 — April–August
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- House Finch — April–August
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — May–August
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- Chipping Sparrow — April–July
- Common Grackle — April–June
- Red-winged Blackbird — April–July
- Baltimore Oriole — May–July
- Orchard Oriole — May–June
Native plants to pair with Wild bergamot in Oklahoma
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Frequently asked
Is Wild bergamot native to Oklahoma?
Yes. Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is recorded as native in Oklahoma. Oklahoma spans USDA 6a–8a.
What birds does Wild bergamot attract in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, Wild bergamot supports 57 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Does Wild bergamot help nesting birds in Oklahoma?
40 of those birds nest in Oklahoma: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), House Finch (April–August), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (May–August).
Which winter birds use Wild bergamot in Oklahoma?
Winter visitors American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Hoary Redpoll, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Rusty Blackbird use it in Oklahoma during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Oklahoma
- 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.