Common sunflower for birds in Washington
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed. Native to Washington, where it feeds or shelters 44 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Helianthus annuus
- Native status
- Native in Washington
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
- What birds get from it
- seed
- Washington birds supported
- 44
- Nesting birds among them
- 38
Growing conditions in Washington
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.
Dry, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.
Washington birds that use Common sunflower
Year-round residents (28)
Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Cassin's Finch, Spotted Towhee, California Quail, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Brown-headed Cowbird, Canada Goose, American Coot, Horned Lark, Brewer's Blackbird, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (10)
Chipping Sparrow, Lesser Goldfinch, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Lark Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird
Winter visitors (6)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll
Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east.
Nesting season it supports in Washington
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 — April–July
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- House Finch — April–August
- Purple Finch — May–July
- 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
Native plants to pair with Common sunflower in Washington
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 Common sunflower native to Washington?
Yes. Common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is recorded as native in Washington. Washington spans USDA 4a–9a.
What birds does Common sunflower attract in Washington?
In Washington, Common sunflower supports 44 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco.
Does Common sunflower help nesting birds in Washington?
38 of those birds nest in Washington: Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), American Goldfinch (July–September), House Finch (April–August), Purple Finch (May–July).
Which winter birds use Common sunflower in Washington?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll use it in Washington during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Washington
- 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.