Black-eyed Susan for birds in Texas
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows. Native to Texas, where it feeds or shelters 57 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rudbeckia hirta
- Native status
- Native in Texas
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6b–10a
- What birds get from it
- seed
- Texas birds supported
- 57
- Nesting birds among them
- 42
Growing conditions in Texas
Humid subtropical in the east and along the Gulf, semi-arid to arid in the west; long, hot summers and short, mild winters over most of the state.
Afternoon highs regularly exceed 95°F — nest boxes need shade or light-colored, ventilated construction, and water matters as much as food.
Texas birds that use Black-eyed Susan
Year-round residents (34)
Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, House Sparrow, Lesser Goldfinch, Canyon Towhee, Gambel's Quail, Pyrrhuloxia, Eurasian Collared-Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Green Jay, Canada Goose, American Coot, Horned Lark, Brewer's Blackbird, Boat-tailed Grackle, Great-tailed Grackle, Rock Pigeon, Monk Parakeet
Summer breeders (8)
Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Lark Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak, Varied Bunting
Winter visitors (15)
American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, Swamp Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Lapland Longspur, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird
Hard freezes are brief outside the Panhandle, so most feeder birds face heat and drought stress more than cold.
Nesting season it supports in Texas
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 — March–September
- Carolina Chickadee — March–June
- House Finch — March–August
- Mourning Dove — February–September
- Chipping Sparrow — March–July
- Common Grackle — March–June
- Red-winged Blackbird — March–July
- Indigo Bunting — April–August
- Painted Bunting — April–August
- Eastern Towhee — April–July
Native plants to pair with Black-eyed Susan in Texas
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 Texas?
Yes. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is recorded as native in Texas. Texas spans USDA 6b–10a.
What birds does Black-eyed Susan attract in Texas?
In Texas, Black-eyed Susan supports 57 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove.
Does Black-eyed Susan help nesting birds in Texas?
42 of those birds nest in Texas: Northern Cardinal (March–September), Carolina Chickadee (March–June), House Finch (March–August), Mourning Dove (February–September).
Which winter birds use Black-eyed Susan in Texas?
Winter visitors American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, Swamp Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Lapland Longspur, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird use it in Texas during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Texas
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
- Texas Breeding Bird Atlas — Texas A&M
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.