Prince Edward Island · Perennial

Black-eyed Susan for birds in Prince Edward Island

Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows. Native to Prince Edward Island, where it feeds or shelters 29 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Rudbeckia hirta
Native status
Native in Prince Edward Island
Hardiness zones
Canada 4b–5b
What birds get from it
seed
Prince Edward Island birds supported
29
Nesting birds among them
24

Growing conditions in Prince Edward Island

Humid continental moderated by the Gulf of St. Lawrence; mostly farmland and mixed woods.

Mild summers.

Prince Edward Island birds that use Black-eyed Susan

Nesting season it supports in Prince Edward Island

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
  • 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
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July

Native plants to pair with Black-eyed Susan in Prince Edward Island

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Acer saccharum · Tree

Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.

Acer rubrum · Tree

Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants.

Salix bebbiana · Shrub

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.

Betula glandulosa · Shrub

Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.

Chamaenerion angustifolium · Perennial

Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.

Frequently asked

Is Black-eyed Susan native to Prince Edward Island?

Yes. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is recorded as native in Prince Edward Island. Prince Edward Island spans Canada 4b–5b.

What birds does Black-eyed Susan attract in Prince Edward Island?

In Prince Edward Island, Black-eyed Susan supports 29 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow.

Does Black-eyed Susan help nesting birds in Prince Edward Island?

24 of those birds nest in Prince Edward Island: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (August–September), Purple Finch (June–July), Dark-eyed Junco (June–July).

Which winter birds use Black-eyed Susan in Prince Edward Island?

Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Prince Edward Island during the cold months.

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — Prince Edward Island
  4. Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
  5. 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.