Black-eyed Susan for birds in Manitoba
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows. Native to Manitoba, where it feeds or shelters 40 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rudbeckia hirta
- Native status
- Native in Manitoba
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–3b
- What birds get from it
- seed
- Manitoba birds supported
- 40
- Nesting birds among them
- 34
Growing conditions in Manitoba
Continental, from prairie in the southwest to boreal forest and Hudson Bay tundra in the north.
Warm summers with a short, intense nesting season.
Manitoba birds that use Black-eyed Susan
Year-round residents (12)
Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Finch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Mallard, Brown-headed Cowbird, Canada Goose, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (22)
American Goldfinch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Wood Duck, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Harris's 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
Very cold winters to −30°F.
Nesting season it supports in Manitoba
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 Manitoba
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 Manitoba?
Yes. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is recorded as native in Manitoba. Manitoba spans Canada 1a–3b.
What birds does Black-eyed Susan attract in Manitoba?
In Manitoba, Black-eyed Susan supports 40 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 Manitoba?
34 of those birds nest in Manitoba: 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 Manitoba?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Manitoba during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Manitoba
- 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.