Common sunflower for birds in Wisconsin
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed. Native to Wisconsin, where it feeds or shelters 45 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Helianthus annuus
- Native status
- Native in Wisconsin
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–6a
- What birds get from it
- seed
- Wisconsin birds supported
- 45
- Nesting birds among them
- 39
Growing conditions in Wisconsin
Humid continental, with two Great Lakes shorelines, northern forest and southern prairie-oak savanna.
Warm, humid summers.
Wisconsin birds that use Common sunflower
Year-round residents (23)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, 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 (16)
White-throated Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (6)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Cold, snowy winters; boreal finches visit the north.
Nesting season it supports in Wisconsin
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Common sunflower:
- Northern Cardinal — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- American Goldfinch — August–September
- House Finch — May–August
- 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
Native plants to pair with Common sunflower in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
Yes. Common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is recorded as native in Wisconsin. Wisconsin spans USDA 3b–6a.
What birds does Common sunflower attract in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, Common sunflower supports 45 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove.
Does Common sunflower help nesting birds in Wisconsin?
39 of those birds nest in Wisconsin: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (August–September), House Finch (May–August).
Which winter birds use Common sunflower in Wisconsin?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Wisconsin during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Wisconsin
- 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.