Black-eyed Susan for birds in Utah
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows. Native to Utah, where it feeds or shelters 44 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rudbeckia hirta
- Native status
- Native in Utah
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
- What birds get from it
- seed
- Utah birds supported
- 44
- Nesting birds among them
- 41
Growing conditions in Utah
Semi-arid to arid, with the Wasatch Range rising above the Great Basin and red-rock canyon country in the south.
Hot, dry summers.
Utah birds that use Black-eyed Susan
Year-round residents (29)
Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Lesser Goldfinch, Cassin's Finch, Spotted Towhee, Gambel's Quail, California Quail, 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, Great-tailed Grackle, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (12)
Chipping Sparrow, 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 (3)
Cold winters with valley inversions; mountain birds descend to backyards.
Nesting season it supports in Utah
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 — April–July
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- House Finch — April–August
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — May–July
- Song Sparrow — April–August
- Chipping Sparrow — April–July
- Red-winged Blackbird — April–July
- Evening Grosbeak — June–July
- Pine Siskin — April–June
Native plants to pair with Black-eyed Susan in Utah
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 Utah?
Yes. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is recorded as native in Utah. Utah spans USDA 4a–9a.
What birds does Black-eyed Susan attract in Utah?
In Utah, 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 Utah?
41 of those birds nest in Utah: Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), American Goldfinch (July–September), House Finch (April–August), Mourning Dove (March–September).
Which winter birds use Black-eyed Susan in Utah?
Winter visitors American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur use it in Utah during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Utah
- 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.