Common sunflower for birds in Manitoba
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed. Native to Manitoba, where it feeds or shelters 40 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Helianthus annuus
- Native status
- Native in Manitoba
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–3b
- What birds get from it
- seed
- Manitoba birds supported
- 40
- Nesting birds among them
- 34
Growing conditions in Manitoba
Continental, from prairie in the southwest to boreal forest and Hudson Bay tundra in the north.
Warm summers with a short, intense nesting season.
Manitoba birds that use Common sunflower
Year-round residents (12)
Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Finch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Mallard, Brown-headed Cowbird, Canada Goose, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (22)
American Goldfinch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Wood Duck, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird
Winter visitors (6)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Very cold winters to −30°F.
Nesting season it supports in Manitoba
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Common sunflower:
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- American Goldfinch — August–September
- Purple Finch — June–July
- Mourning Dove — April–September
- 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
Native plants to pair with Common sunflower in Manitoba
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.
Frequently asked
Is Common sunflower native to Manitoba?
Yes. Common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is recorded as native in Manitoba. Manitoba spans Canada 1a–3b.
What birds does Common sunflower attract in Manitoba?
In Manitoba, Common sunflower supports 40 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Common sunflower help nesting birds in Manitoba?
34 of those birds nest in Manitoba: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (August–September), Purple Finch (June–July), Mourning Dove (April–September).
Which winter birds use Common sunflower in Manitoba?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Manitoba during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Manitoba
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- 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.