Black-eyed Susan for birds in Montana
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows. Native to Montana, where it feeds or shelters 44 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rudbeckia hirta
- Native status
- Native in Montana
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–6a
- What birds get from it
- seed
- Montana birds supported
- 44
- Nesting birds among them
- 38
Growing conditions in Montana
Continental — Rocky Mountain forest in the west, semi-arid Great Plains in the east.
Warm, dry summers and a short growing season.
Montana birds that use Black-eyed Susan
Year-round residents (22)
Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Cassin's Finch, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Brown-headed Cowbird, Black-throated Sparrow, Pinyon Jay, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Brewer's Blackbird, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (16)
American Goldfinch, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Lark Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird
Winter visitors (6)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Very cold winters on the plains, with chinook winds bringing sudden thaws.
Nesting season it supports in Montana
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
- House Finch — May–August
- Mourning Dove — April–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
- Song Sparrow — May–August
- Chipping Sparrow — May–July
- Common Grackle — May–June
- Red-winged Blackbird — May–July
- Evening Grosbeak — July
Native plants to pair with Black-eyed Susan in Montana
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 Montana?
Yes. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is recorded as native in Montana. Montana spans USDA 3a–6a.
What birds does Black-eyed Susan attract in Montana?
In Montana, Black-eyed Susan supports 44 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow.
Does Black-eyed Susan help nesting birds in Montana?
38 of those birds nest in Montana: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (August–September), House Finch (May–August), Mourning Dove (April–September).
Which winter birds use Black-eyed Susan in Montana?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Montana during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Montana
- 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.