American Goldfinch

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is in the Finches, Euphonias, and Allies family (Fringillidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 135,366 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph American Goldfinch: observations by month (U.S.)

About American Goldfinch

The American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a small North American bird in the finch family. It is migratory, ranging from mid-Alberta to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of the Canada–United States border to Mexico during the winter.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

American Goldfinch by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)

House FinchHaemorhous mexicanus

Lesser GoldfinchSpinus psaltria

Pine SiskinSpinus pinus

Purple FinchHaemorhous purpureus

Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertina

Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostra

Cassin's FinchHaemorhous cassinii

RedpollAcanthis flammea

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ