Purple coneflower for birds in Illinois
Leave seed heads up through winter for goldfinches. Native to Illinois, where it feeds or shelters 48 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Echinacea purpurea
- Native status
- Native in Illinois
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5a–7b
- What birds get from it
- seed
- Illinois birds supported
- 48
- Nesting birds among them
- 38
Growing conditions in Illinois
Humid continental, grading from the Lake Michigan shore and prairie north to the forested Shawnee Hills in the south.
Hot, humid summers; much of the state is farmland, so backyard native plantings matter.
Illinois birds that use Purple coneflower
Year-round residents (24)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Song Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, 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, Monk Parakeet, Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Summer breeders (14)
Chipping Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (10)
Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Hoary Redpoll
Cold, windy winters in the north; the southern tip is milder and hosts more wintering species.
Nesting season it supports in Illinois
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Purple coneflower:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- House Finch — April–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 Purple coneflower in Illinois
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 Purple coneflower native to Illinois?
Yes. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is recorded as native in Illinois. Illinois spans USDA 5a–7b.
What birds does Purple coneflower attract in Illinois?
In Illinois, Purple coneflower supports 48 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch.
Does Purple coneflower help nesting birds in Illinois?
38 of those birds nest in Illinois: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), American Goldfinch (July–September).
Which winter birds use Purple coneflower in Illinois?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Hoary Redpoll use it in Illinois during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Illinois
- 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.