Black-eyed Susan for birds in Virginia
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows. Native to Virginia, where it feeds or shelters 40 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rudbeckia hirta
- Native status
- Native in Virginia
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–8a
- What birds get from it
- seed
- Virginia birds supported
- 40
- Nesting birds among them
- 31
Growing conditions in Virginia
Humid subtropical in the east, cooler and snowier in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny highlands.
Warm, humid summers; House Wrens and hummingbirds breed statewide.
Virginia birds that use Black-eyed Susan
Year-round residents (23)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Song Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, House Sparrow, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (8)
Chipping Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak
Winter visitors (9)
Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird
Moderate winters with periodic snow; purple finches and occasional northern finches visit feeders.
Nesting season it supports in Virginia
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 — May–June
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- House Finch — March–August
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- Song Sparrow — April–August
- Chipping Sparrow — April–July
- Common Grackle — April–June
- Red-winged Blackbird — April–July
Native plants to pair with Black-eyed Susan in Virginia
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Frequently asked
Is Black-eyed Susan native to Virginia?
Yes. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is recorded as native in Virginia. Virginia spans USDA 5b–8a.
What birds does Black-eyed Susan attract in Virginia?
In Virginia, Black-eyed Susan supports 40 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch.
Does Black-eyed Susan help nesting birds in Virginia?
31 of those birds nest in Virginia: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–June), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), American Goldfinch (July–September).
Which winter birds use Black-eyed Susan in Virginia?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird use it in Virginia during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Virginia
- 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.