Where do American Goldfinches live?

American Goldfinch

Last Updated on January 9, 2024 by Greg Gillson

Throughout most of the middle and northern parts of the United States American Goldfinches can be found year long. However, they do migrate north and south. So their abundance varies throughout the year. They spend the summer also in southern Canada. In winter they move to the southern reaches of the United States and into eastern Mexico.

In winter American Goldfinches molt into a very dull plumage, so drab compared to the bright colors of the summer breeding male. That makes them less noticeable in winter, unless they are in huge flocks in the weedy fields.

Are there American Goldfinches where you live? Do they stay year-round? I’ll try to answer that in the rest of this article.

This page is a supplement to my overview on American Goldfinches. The overview page also leads to other in-depth articles on identification, courtship and nesting, and diet and what to foods attract goldfinches to your yard. I’ll link back to the overview page again at the end of this article.

Photo of breeding plumage male American Goldfinch on teasel
American Goldfinch
Photo by Greg Gillson

Range and seasonal movements

American Goldfinches breed across southern Canada and the northern two-thirds of the United States.

There is a resident subspecies in California that does not migrate. Otherwise, American Goldfinches migrate a comparatively short distance. Most of these goldfinches migrate southward out of Canada in winter. They move to the United States, as far south as Florida, the Gulf Coast and the border with Mexico. South of Texas they continue several hundred miles into Mexico.

More details on the range of American Goldfinches follow.

Where do American Goldfinches live in summer?

I will now look at eBird data of actual sightings during June and July the past 5 years. After this I’ll present the range for winter.

Summer American Goldfinches in the Northeast United States

American Goldfinches are common summer residents in PennsylvaniaNew JerseyRhode IslandConnecticut, and Massachusetts. They become less common in the forested northern parts of New YorkVermontNew Hampshire, and Maine. American Goldfinches are found in towns along roads through these forested lands.

Summer American Goldfinches in the Southeastern United States

The southern edge of the breeding range of American Goldfinches is in the northern parts of ArkansasMississippiAlabama, and Georgia. They are rare coastally in GeorgiaSouth Carolina, and North Carolina. They are less common in western West Virginia and northern Kentucky.

Summer American Goldfinches in the Midwest United States

In the Midwest, American Goldfinches are common almost throughout. They are a bit less common in northern Michigan and northern Minnesota. Otherwise they are common throughout OhioIndianaWisconsinIllinoisIowa, and Missouri.

These goldfinches are a bit scattered in North Dakota. They are less common in the west portions of South DakotaNebraska, and Kansas.

             American Goldfinch by paul-crook

Summer American Goldfinches in the Rocky Mountains of the United States

In the Rocky Mountain States American Goldfinches tend to be distributed near towns. These are frequently near water and at lower elevations.

They are regular in MontanaIdaho, and Wyoming.

American Goldfinches are nearly absent as breeders in Nevada. In Utah and Colorado, American Goldfinches are regular in lower areas near Salt Lake City and Denver, but rare southward and westward in those states.

Summer American Goldfinches in the Southwestern United States

American Goldfinches reach the southern edge of their breeding range in the Santa Fe, New Mexico and Tulsa, Oklahoma areas. Otherwise, these finches are rare to absent in summer in these states and Arizona and Texas.

Summer American Goldfinches in the Pacific region of the United States

In Washington and Oregon these goldfinches are common.

California has a non-migratory population of American Goldfinches. They are found west of the Sierra-Nevada mountains and southern deserts.

Summer American Goldfinches in Canada

American Goldfinches breed across southern Canada. They summer in southern parts of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland. They are quite common throughout New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia.

Where do American Goldfinches live in winter?

The following sections will detail where American Goldfinches are found in winter. This is based on the most recent 5-years of eBird data from 2015-2019. The data is from the winter months of December to through February.

Winter American Goldfinches in the Northeastern United States

American Goldfinches are found in winter throughout the Northeast. They are found in MaineNew HampshireVermontNew YorkMassachusettsConnecticutRhode IslandPennsylvania, and New York.

Winter American Goldfinches in the Southeastern United States

American Goldfinches winter throughout all of the Southeastern United States. They are found in DelawareMarylandWest VirginiaVirginiaKentuckyNorth CarolinaTennesseeSouth CarolinaGeorgiaFloridaAlabamaMississippiArkansas, and Louisiana.

American Goldfinch by mark-olsen

Winter American Goldfinches in the Midwestern United States

In the Midwest, American Goldfinches winter commonly in OhioIndianaIllinoisMissouriIowa, and Wisconsin. These finches are common in southern Michigan, southern Minnesota. Goldfinches are much less common in North DakotaSouth Dakota, western Nebraska, and western Kansas.

Winter American Goldfinches in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States

American Goldfinches are fairly sparse in winter in Montana, except around Bozeman and Billings. Idaho has quite a few winter goldfinches. Most records in winter in Wyoming are pretty sparse. Most of the records of these goldfinches in Utah are from around Salt Lake City. 

In Colorado these finches are recorded mostly in Denver and other towns in the eastern part of the state. Nevada has very few records.

Winter American Goldfinches in the Southwestern United States

In Arizona American Goldfinches are mostly restricted to the northcentral and central part of the state, from Flagstaff to Phoenix. Most winter records in New Mexico are from Santa Fe and Albuquerque. These birds are widely distributed in OklahomaTexas has lots of winter goldfinches, though they become sparse in the western third of the state.

Winter American Goldfinches in the Pacific region of the United States

American Goldfinches are fairly common in winter in western Washington and Oregon, plus along the Columbia River eastward. These finches are common in California in winter west of the mountains and southern deserts.

Winter American Goldfinches in Canada

Many American Goldfinches move out of Canada in winter. They are found fairly commonly in Nova ScotiaNew Brunswick, and coastal southern Newfoundland. These finches are found in extreme southern Quebec, and they are common only in the Toronto area of Ontario. They are found in winter in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and southern British Columbia. They are nearly absent in other provinces.

Winter American Goldfinches in Mexico

It could be that there aren’t many bird watchers in northern Mexico. There are only a few American Goldfinches recorded from Ensenada, Baja California Norte. They are fairly common in Big Bend, Texas, but records stop at the border. There are a few records in Monterrey, Nuevo Leone State.

Migration timing

Northern breeding populations are migratory. Even, so, some northern birds don’t move out completely.

 They may move relatively short distances to nearby weedy fields near open water. Other birds migrate longer distances.

More southern populations are resident.

In spring, American Goldfinches migrate northward in May and June.

In autumn, American Goldfinches migrate southward from October to January.

Subspecies

There are 4 subspecies of American Goldfinches. They are only slightly different in appearance and average measurements. The Great Plains separates the eastern form from the 3 western forms.

The subspecies in California is non-migratory and the breeding plumage often shows some brownish coloration on the back rather than bright lemon yellow.

Photo of male American Goldfinch in sapling
American Goldfinch
Photo by Greg Gillson

The ecology of American Goldfinches

American Goldfinches like habitats of weedy fields with thistle seed for food. They need saplings and scattered small deciduous trees for nesting. They are often found near water, such as stream edges and floodplains.

They also are found along road edges and edges of agricultural fields.

They are quick to take advantage of forest clear cuts and second growth for the first few years when thistles are a common plant. Once conifers and large bushes and grasses crowd out the thistles, they leave.

American Goldfinches in the temperate broadleaf and mixed forest biome

This is the primary overarching biome in the eastern half of the United States. Clearings and fields among the deciduous trees is perfect for these finches.

While their primary food is thistle and plants in the aster family, American Goldfinches also eat the seeds of alder, birch, and elm trees. These also serve as nesting trees.

American Goldfinches in the grassland biome

True grasslands don’t have the thistles and other scattered trees that American Goldfinches require. However, the periodically flooded stream bottoms do. Here they will use willows and saplings of larger cottonwoods for nesting.

Trees to plant to attract American Goldfinches

American Goldfinches do occur in residential backyards and grassy parks. You are more likely to have these birds visit your yard if you are bordered by farmlands, vacant fields, or tree-lined streams through a meadow. A recently cut woodlot will be attractive for a couple of years if not developed immediately.

Alder, birch, elm, and willows are trees that will attract American Goldfinches to your backyard.

American Goldfinches may be attracted to your flower garden. Plant asters, cosmos, daisies, marigolds, poppies, sunflowers, and zinnias.

What niche does the American Goldfinch fill?

American Goldfinches eat and disperse seeds of plants in the aster family: thistles and sunflowers. 

They feed on weed seeds on the ground, often in groups. Many of these seeds are smaller than seeds that other birds eat.

Because their foods are often found in recently disturbed areas, the habitat quickly changes. A weedy field or recently cut forest soon grows up with larger shrubs and then trees. So goldfinches tend to be nomadic in winter. Their breeding sites change every few years with the rapid changes in their favorite habitats.

These beautiful birds are always a joy to see or hear as they fly over. My wife, Marlene, especially loves to see goldfinches at the feeder, though we have primarily Lesser Goldfinches where we live now.

Wrapping Up

The American goldfinch’s charming yellow plumage and cheerful songs are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their success story. This adaptable songbird thrives across a vast range in North America due to a combination of factors that make them masters of their domain:

Dietary versatility: These finches are seed specialists, but they’re not picky eaters. They can crack open tough sunflower seeds, munch on thistle, and even glean insects and berries if seeds are scarce. This flexibility allows them to adapt to changing food sources throughout the year and across different habitats.

Breeding prowess: American goldfinches are prolific breeders, producing multiple clutches of chicks per season. Their intricate nests, often woven into thistles or other thorny plants, offer protection from predators. Additionally, both parents share parenting duties, ensuring better survival chances for offspring.

Habitat adaptability: From open fields and meadows to backyard feeders and forest edges, American goldfinches find food and nesting opportunities in diverse environments. They readily adapt to human development and even benefit from gardens and feeders, expanding their potential territory.

Social smarts: These finches flock together, sharing information about food sources and potential threats. Their vibrant yellow plumage might seem like a disadvantage, but it also serves as a signal to predators that they are healthy and alert, deterring attacks.

Strong flight: Their agile wings and maneuverability allow them to escape predators and reach high-quality food sources. They can quickly flit between branches and perform acrobatic dives, giving them an edge in competitive environments.

Evolving strategies: Research suggests American goldfinches are evolving their beak shapes to better crack different types of seeds. This adaptive ability allows them to keep up with changing environments and food availability.

Resilience: These hardy birds can withstand harsh winters and survive on limited resources. Their adaptability and strong immune systems contribute to their overall success.

In conclusion, the American goldfinch’s success story is a testament to their remarkable mix of dietary flexibility, breeding prowess, habitat adaptability, social intelligence, strong flight, and evolving strategies. They are a true example of how resilience and adaptability can lead to thriving in a diverse and ever-changing world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it rare to see an American Goldfinch?

No, they are very common and widespread across the United States. Keep an eye out in any suitable environment for a flash of bright yellow during the summer months.

Are American Goldfinches friendly?

American Goldfinches are fascinating birds, but it’s not quite accurate to say they’re friendly in the same way a pet dog or cat might be. They are wild animals, perfectly adapted to life in nature, and their interactions with humans are limited.

However, these beautiful songbirds can certainly add a delightful spark to our lives! Here’s why:

  • Cheerful presence: Their vibrant yellow plumage and bright, bubbly songs bring a splash of color and joyful melodies to gardens, fields, and parks. Observing their playful foraging and interactions can be a truly uplifting experience.
  • Gentle neighbors: Unlike some birds that can be territorial or aggressive, American Goldfinches are generally peaceful creatures. They’re more likely to flit around happily than squabble over territory.
  • Adaptability: Their ability to thrive in diverse environments, including backyards with feeders, allows us to appreciate their beauty more easily. Seeing them flit to a feeder or perch on a nearby branch offers a delightful connection to nature.
  • Conservation ambassadors: Their success story highlights the importance of protecting ecosystems and maintaining healthy habitats. Admiring them can inspire us to become stewards of the environment and support conservation efforts.

How do I attract goldfinches to my yard?

If you’d love to see cheerful American Goldfinches flitting around your yard, there are definitely some things you can do to attract them:

Food:

  • Offer their favorites: Nyjer seeds (also called thistle) are top-notch. You can use specialized thistle feeders with small mesh openings to prevent larger birds from hogging the good stuff. Consider offering sunflower seeds too, but in a separate feeder, as their shells can clog up thistle feeders.
  • Variety is key: While seeds are their staple, mix things up with other offerings like millet, safflower seeds, and even chopped nuts. They might also snack on berries or nectar from hummingbird feeders.
  • Keep it fresh: Replace seeds regularly to prevent spoilage and attract fresh birds. Dirty feeders can deter Goldfinches, so keep them clean and well-maintained.

Habitat:

  • Plant attractants: Native coneflowers, sunflowers, thistles, and other seed-producing plants will provide natural food sources and nesting materials. Let some seed heads stay on these plants throughout the winter for a gourmet goldfinch buffet.
  • Provide water: A birdbath with clean water will attract many birds, including Goldfinches, especially during hot weather. Consider a shallow bath with rocks or perches to make it easier for them to drink and bathe.
  • Minimize disturbance: Avoid placing feeders and birdbaths near noisy areas or windows where birds might collide. Offering some shelter, like shrubs or trees, can provide a sense of security for the birds.

Return to the overview page on American Goldfinches.

Comments 14
  1. I found a tiny finch fledging dead on my deck. Very sad! I’m curious- it’s February, and I live I. The far-north Pacific Northwest. This bird seems to be alone, and I’m confused. My deck is full of finches all Summer. Am I mistaking winter finch coats for another species? Why was this colorful little male traveling along? And isn’t this early for a flexible? We’ve had a fair amount of snow lately. I’m so confused, and so sad for this little fellow. Thanks for any help you can give.

  2. Dear Greg, is there a way to edit comments before posting? It’d be a help. Thanks!

  3. Alexis,

    You did well identifying your finch as one of the goldfinches. American Goldfinches wait until July and August to breed until the thistle is in bloom. They feed the thistle down seeds to their young.

    Thus you are right to be confused about apparent juvenile goldfinches in the snow.

    So, these little finches with yellow in wing and tail are Pine Siskins. They nest in mountain and northern boreal forests. They move south in winter. They eat seeds from alder catkins and hemlock cones and other small conifer seeds.

    They arrive in large flocks in some years when cone crops in the north don't produce well. Unfortunately, they sometimes get diseases from massing together at bird feeders. That's what is happening now in Seattle and western Washington.

    Signs of disease are birds sitting on the railing without moving, or dead under the feeder. Although these birds are tame enough that they may eat from the feeder while you are holding it and trying to hang it up after refill!

    If you have dead birds. Stop feeding. Take down the feeders and clean them thoroughly with bleach or soap and water. Wait a couple of weeks and try again.

  4. Alexis, I have no control over how the comment form works.

    However, there is a Preview button next to the Publish button. You can see what will be published and make changes before you finalize.

    I'm not sure, but you may also be able to delete your published post and try again.

    On the other hand, even mistaken comments or trolls (people giving nasty comments) still give good signals to the search engines (people like it so much they leave comments, so it must be good!). More comments helps my site appear better than the same information with no comments. So the search engine shows my site.

    So thanks!

  5. Every spring we get 2 or 3 flitting and pecking at our windows! Maybe they see their reflection?

  6. That seems like a good theory. Since they are seed eaters they are likely NOT eating bugs against the window.

  7. Just wanted to report a siting! Lebec California early this morning! One male, the other female. They were at the top on a big bush in my yard! Wow! Beautiful! I mimicked their whistle and they whistled back! So fun! I think we said "Good Morning". Thanks for the info!

  8. I am so happy when the little yellow birds show up every year, around September. I have estimated 100 of these. So I'm very careful about cleaning the feeders. Very happy birds. They share with red house finches, only about 6 of those. I would love to be envolved in the bird count. How do I do this.

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