Black-eyed Susans are a type of wildflower native to North America and are a member of the Asteraceae family. Their bright yellow petals and dark brown centers resemble the face of a doll, which is how they got their common name – they are said to look like “Susans” with black eyes. Black-eyed Susans bloom in the summer and fall and are a popular garden plant, attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are drawn to tubular flowers and blooms with bright colors, especially red, orange, and yellow. This leads many gardeners to wonder: do hummingbirds like black-eyed Susans?
Do hummingbirds visit black-eyed Susans?
Yes, hummingbirds do visit black-eyed Susans. Although their color is more yellow than red, hummingbirds are still attracted to the nectar these flowers produce. Black-eyed Susans have short, tubular petals perfect for hummingbirds to insert their long, slender beaks into. Their high nectar content attracts foraging hummingbirds looking for food.
Studies have shown hummingbirds respond strongly to the color red but will also feed from orange and yellow flowers. While black-eyed Susans may not be hummingbirds’ first choice, they do provide an abundant nectar source that hummingbirds will take advantage of. The Susans’ long blooming season, from mid-summer through early fall, provides nourishment for hummers over an extended period.
So even though black-eyed Susans aren’t bright red tubular flowers, they do make a good secondary nectar source for visiting hummingbirds during their migration and nesting period. Planting black-eyed Susans is an effective way to attract hummers to your garden.
When do hummingbirds visit black-eyed Susans?
Hummingbirds tend to visit black-eyed Susans most actively during the late summer and early fall. This coincides with the main blooming period for black-eyed Susans in July, August, September, and October.
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Some key times that hummingbirds are likely feeding from black-eyed Susans:
– Summer – Black-eyed Susans first begin blooming in mid-summer, just as ruby-throated hummingbirds are migrating south from their breeding grounds up north. The Susans provide an important nectar source as the hummers pass through.
– Nesting – Female hummingbirds build their nests and care for their young in summertime. The protein-rich nectar from black-eyed Susans helps parent hummers nourish their chicks.
– Early Fall Migration – As cold weather approaches in early fall, ruby-throated hummingbirds begin migrating back to their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. Black-eyed Susans offer fuel for their long journey south.
So while hummingbirds may visit black-eyed Susans occasionally earlier in the summer, they tend to forage them most actively during late summer and early fall when the flowers are at peak bloom and the hummers are nesting, fledging chicks, or migrating.
Do hummingbirds have a preference for black-eyed Susans?
Hummingbirds are strongly attracted to red tubular flowers because of their high nectar content. Native orchids, bee balm, cardinal flowers, and trumpet vines are some of their preferred food sources. These flowers contain more sugar and nutrients compared to black-eyed Susans.
Due to their yellow color, black-eyed Susans are likely a secondary nectar source for hummingbirds after bright red flowers. However, they do provide a constant, abundant food source from mid-summer into fall when fewer red flowers may be in bloom. This steady supply of nectar benefits hummers during migration and nesting.
One study compared nectar volume and sugar concentration between native orchids and black-eyed Susans. It found the orchids produced more than twice the amount of total sugars that Susans did. But black-eyed Susan flowers were much more numerous than orchids, providing greater overall nectar availability.
So while they may not be a hummingbird’s first pick, the plentiful flowers and extended bloom time of black-eyed Susans earn them an important place in a hummer’s diet. Think of them as a steady, reliable food source more so than a preferred treat.
How to attract hummingbirds to black-eyed Susans
Here are some tips to attract more hummingbirds to the black-eyed Susans in your garden:
– Plant them in large clusters – hummingbirds are drawn to big patches of color, so go big when planting your Susans. Group them close together.
– Add red flowers – Mix in more bright red blooms like bee balm or cardinal flower near the black-eyed Susans. The red will initially draw hummers in.
– Provide a water source – Hummingbirds sip water as well as nectar. Have a mister, fountain, or bird bath nearby.
– Avoid pesticides – Pesticides can be lethal to hummingbirds. Maintain your garden as chemical-free.
– Leave seed heads – Allow black-eyed Susans to go to seed, providing an additional food source for hummers.
– Deadhead flowers – Deadhead faded blooms to encourage new flower production and extend the bloom period into fall.
With a little encouragement, you can turn your garden into a hummingbird hot spot with the help of beautiful black-eyed Susan flowers.
Common hummingbirds that visit black-eyed Susans
There are over 300 species of hummingbirds in the Americas. Here are some of the most common species likely to visit black-eyed Susans:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only breeding hummingbird in eastern North America. Adult males have an iridescent red throat and forked tail. Ruby-throats migrate north to Canada for summer breeding before returning to southern wintering grounds. They are regular visitors to black-eyed Susan flowers in mid to late summer during migration and nesting.
Rufous Hummingbird
Small and feisty, the rufous hummingbird breeds farther north than any other hummingbird. Breeding males are bright cinnamon in color with a reddish throat. They breed in northwestern North America and migrate through western states down to Mexico for winter. Rufous hummers will stop to feed on black-eyed Susans during their migration.
Allen’s Hummingbird
This medium-sized green hummingbird has an iridescent orange-red throat and face. Allen’s hummingbirds breed along the Pacific Coast and inland throughout the west. They migrate short distances in winter. An abundant breeder in California, Allen’s are frequent visitors to summer and fall blooming black-eyed Susans.
Anna’s Hummingbird
A year-round resident along the Pacific Coast, Anna’s hummingbirds are increasing in number and expanding their range. Males have rose-pink throats and crowns. Females lack pink and have gray undersides. Nesting Anna’s hummingbirds will seek out reliable food sources like black-eyed Susans through the summer.
Conclusion
While they may not be a hummingbird’s first choice, black-eyed Susans do attract these feathered pollinators with their plentiful nectar and long bloom period. Planting clusters of Susans will bring in visiting hummers like ruby-throats, rufous, Allen’s, and Anna’s that are migrating, nesting, or fledging young in mid to late summer. By providing a steady supply of food, black-eyed Susans earn an important place in a hummingbird’s diet and garden habitat.