Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola) is in the Tanagers and Allies family (Thraupidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,837 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in January.
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 Saffron Finch: observations by month (U.S.)
About Saffron Finch
The saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola) is a tanager from South America that is common in open and semi-open areas in lowlands outside the Amazon Basin. They have a wide distribution in Colombia, northern Venezuela (where it is called "canario de tejado" or "roof canary"), western Ecuador, western Peru, eastern and southern Brazil (where it is called "canário-da-terra" or "native canary"), Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, northern Argentina, and Trinidad and Tobago. It has also been introduced to...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Saffron Finch by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 4,818 | January | Dec–Nov |
| Florida | 13 | May | Mar–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Tanagers and Allies)
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
When is the best time to photograph Saffron Finch?
Nationally, January has the most observations, with the main season from December to November.
Where is Saffron Finch most often seen?
The most observations come from Hawaii, Florida.