WhenToBird

American Goldfinch · Spinus tristis

When Do Goldfinches Arrive in Maryland?

Adult American Goldfinch
Photo: Andy Wilson, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

American Goldfinches are in Maryland all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from the second week of April, peak in the second week of August (57% of checklists), and fall back by mid September. In the quietest week (early March) they are still on about 19% of checklists. They are the only regular goldfinches in Maryland.

When to look

Numbers buildApr 8-14the second week of April
PeakAug 8-14the second week of August
Fall back bySep 15-21mid September
FewestMar 1-7early March

Best: the second week of August. Here all year; numbers build from the second week of April and fall back by mid September. Peak: on about 57% of Maryland checklists.

  1. Jancommon
  2. Febuncommon
  3. Marcommon
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Juncommon
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novcommon
  12. Deccommon

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Goldfinches in Maryland, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
American GoldfinchApr 8-14Apr 8-14Aug 8-14Sep 15-2157%
0%20%40%60%American GoldfinchJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • American Goldfinch
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Maryland that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Maryland

Best counties for American Goldfinch

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Garrett CountyBest the second week of August · 488 checklists that week, 37,616 in all73%
  2. Allegany CountyBest the second week of August · 251 checklists that week, 18,322 in all73%
  3. Charles CountyBest the second week of August · 187 checklists that week, 10,064 in all67%
  4. Howard CountyBest mid August · 1437 checklists that week, 118,290 in all66%
  5. Frederick CountyBest mid August · 905 checklists that week, 57,576 in all65%
  6. Washington CountyBest mid July · 456 checklists that week, 24,020 in all65%

Common questions

When do goldfinches arrive in Maryland?
American Goldfinches are in Maryland all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from the second week of April, peak in the second week of August (57% of checklists), and fall back by mid September. In the quietest week (early March) they are still on about 19% of checklists. They are the only regular goldfinches in Maryland.
When do goldfinches leave Maryland?
American Goldfinches never fully leave Maryland: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by mid September, but some are still reported in every week, about 19% of checklists at the low.
When is the best time to see goldfinches in Maryland?
The American Goldfinch is reported most often in the second week of August, on about 57% of Maryland checklists.