Black-eyed Susan for birds in Alberta
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows. Native to Alberta, where it feeds or shelters 41 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rudbeckia hirta
- Native status
- Native in Alberta
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 2a–4b
- What birds get from it
- seed
- Alberta birds supported
- 41
- Nesting birds among them
- 35
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 Black-eyed Susan
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 (21)
American Goldfinch, Mourning Dove, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, 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 Black-eyed Susan:
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- American Goldfinch — August–September
- Purple Finch — June–July
- 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
- Red-winged Blackbird — May–July
Native plants to pair with Black-eyed Susan in Alberta
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Frequently asked
Is Black-eyed Susan native to Alberta?
Yes. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is recorded as native in Alberta. Alberta spans Canada 2a–4b.
What birds does Black-eyed Susan attract in Alberta?
In Alberta, Black-eyed Susan supports 41 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Black-eyed Susan help nesting birds in Alberta?
35 of those birds nest in Alberta: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (August–September), Purple Finch (June–July), Mourning Dove (April–September).
Which winter birds use Black-eyed Susan 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.