WhenToBird

American Goldfinch · Spinus tristis

When Do Goldfinches Arrive in Minnesota?

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

American Goldfinches are in Minnesota all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from early May, peak in the second week of August (60% of checklists), and fall back by late September. In the quietest week (early March) they are still on about 17% of checklists. They are the only regular goldfinches in Minnesota.

When to look

Numbers buildMay 1-7early May
PeakAug 8-14the second week of August
Fall back bySep 22-30late September
FewestMar 1-7early March

Best: the second week of August. Here all year; numbers build from early May and fall back by late September. Peak: on about 60% of Minnesota checklists.

  1. Januncommon
  2. Febuncommon
  3. Maruncommon
  4. Aprcommon
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  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 Minnesota, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
American GoldfinchMay 1-7May 1-7Aug 8-14Sep 22-3060%
0%20%40%60%80%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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota

Best counties for American Goldfinch

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Steele CountyBest mid August · 138 checklists that week, 4,784 in all83%
  2. Benton CountyBest late July · 139 checklists that week, 6,111 in all80%
  3. Ramsey CountyBest the second week of August · 1206 checklists that week, 83,239 in all79%
  4. Scott CountyBest the second week of August · 343 checklists that week, 23,226 in all75%
  5. Anoka CountyBest the second week of August · 461 checklists that week, 28,326 in all75%
  6. Washington CountyBest mid July · 1038 checklists that week, 71,578 in all74%

Common questions

When do goldfinches arrive in Minnesota?
American Goldfinches are in Minnesota all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from early May, peak in the second week of August (60% of checklists), and fall back by late September. In the quietest week (early March) they are still on about 17% of checklists. They are the only regular goldfinches in Minnesota.
When do goldfinches leave Minnesota?
American Goldfinches never fully leave Minnesota: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by late September, but some are still reported in every week, about 17% of checklists at the low.
When is the best time to see goldfinches in Minnesota?
The American Goldfinch is reported most often in the second week of August, on about 60% of Minnesota checklists.