Black-eyed Susan for birds in Arkansas
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows. Native to Arkansas, where it feeds or shelters 42 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rudbeckia hirta
- Native status
- Native in Arkansas
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6b–8b
- What birds get from it
- seed
- Arkansas birds supported
- 42
- Nesting birds among them
- 30
Growing conditions in Arkansas
Humid subtropical, with the Ozark and Ouachita highlands in the northwest and the flat Mississippi Delta in the east.
Hot, humid summers; shade nest boxes in the Delta.
Arkansas birds that use Black-eyed Susan
Year-round residents (22)
Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, House Sparrow, 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 (8)
Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak
Winter visitors (12)
American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Pine Siskin, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird
Mild winters with occasional ice storms that make suet and sheltered feeders critical for a few days at a time.
Nesting season it supports in Arkansas
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:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- House Finch — April–August
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- Chipping Sparrow — April–July
- Common Grackle — April–June
- Red-winged Blackbird — April–July
- Indigo Bunting — May–August
- Painted Bunting — May–August
- Eastern Towhee — May–July
Native plants to pair with Black-eyed Susan in Arkansas
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Frequently asked
Is Black-eyed Susan native to Arkansas?
Yes. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is recorded as native in Arkansas. Arkansas spans USDA 6b–8b.
What birds does Black-eyed Susan attract in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, Black-eyed Susan supports 42 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove.
Does Black-eyed Susan help nesting birds in Arkansas?
30 of those birds nest in Arkansas: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), House Finch (April–August), Mourning Dove (March–September).
Which winter birds use Black-eyed Susan in Arkansas?
Winter visitors American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Pine Siskin, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird use it in Arkansas during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Arkansas
- 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.