Black-eyed Susan for birds in Pennsylvania
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows. Native to Pennsylvania, where it feeds or shelters 43 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rudbeckia hirta
- Native status
- Native in Pennsylvania
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5a–7b
- What birds get from it
- seed
- Pennsylvania birds supported
- 43
- Nesting birds among them
- 35
Growing conditions in Pennsylvania
Humid continental; cold, snowy winters in the north and mountains, milder in the southeast.
Warm summers; bluebirds typically raise two broods.
Pennsylvania birds that use Black-eyed Susan
Year-round residents (23)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, House Sparrow, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (12)
Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Bobolink
Winter visitors (8)
Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Snow cover makes suet and heated water valuable; both chickadee species meet in a narrow hybrid zone across the south of the state.
Nesting season it supports in Pennsylvania
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
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- House Finch — April–August
- Purple Finch — May–July
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — May–July
- White-throated Sparrow — May–July
- Song Sparrow — April–August
Native plants to pair with Black-eyed Susan in Pennsylvania
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Frequently asked
Is Black-eyed Susan native to Pennsylvania?
Yes. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is recorded as native in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania spans USDA 5a–7b.
What birds does Black-eyed Susan attract in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, Black-eyed Susan supports 43 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch.
Does Black-eyed Susan help nesting birds in Pennsylvania?
35 of those birds nest in Pennsylvania: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), American Goldfinch (July–September).
Which winter birds use Black-eyed Susan in Pennsylvania?
Winter visitors Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Pennsylvania during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Pennsylvania
- 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.