When do goldfinches leave New York?

American Goldfinches never fully leave New York: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by mid September, but some are still reported in every week, about 20% of checklists at the low.

When is the best time to see goldfinches in New York?

The American Goldfinch is reported most often in early August, on about 56% of New York checklists.

American Goldfinch · Spinus tristis

When Do Goldfinches Arrive in New York?

Photo: Andy Wilson, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

American Goldfinches are in New York all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from mid April, peak in early August (56% of checklists), and fall back by mid September. In the quietest week (the second week of March) they are still on about 20% of checklists. They are the only regular goldfinches in New York.

When to look

Numbers buildApr 15-21mid April

PeakAug 1-7early August

Fall back bySep 15-21mid September

FewestMar 8-14the second week of March

Best: early August. Here all year; numbers build from mid April and fall back by mid September. Peak: on about 56% of New York checklists.

Januncommon
Febcommon
Marcommon
Aprpeak season
Maypeak season
Junpeak season
Julpeak season
Augpeak season
Seppeak season
Octcommon
Novcommon
Deccommon

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

Goldfinches in New York, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
American Goldfinch	Apr 15-21	Apr 15-21	Aug 1-7	Sep 15-21	56%

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 New York 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 New York

Best counties for American Goldfinch

Share of checklists at the peak

Montgomery CountyBest the second week of August · 236 checklists that week, 17,048 in all86%
Livingston CountyBest early August · 392 checklists that week, 29,051 in all81%
Chenango CountyBest the second week of August · 123 checklists that week, 10,785 in all77%
Columbia CountyBest the second week of August · 351 checklists that week, 28,454 in all77%
Washington CountyBest early August · 176 checklists that week, 15,060 in all77%
Schuyler CountyBest the second week of August · 275 checklists that week, 12,381 in all76%

Common questions

When do goldfinches arrive in New York?: American Goldfinches are in New York all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from mid April, peak in early August (56% of checklists), and fall back by mid September. In the quietest week (the second week of March) they are still on about 20% of checklists. They are the only regular goldfinches in New York.
When do goldfinches leave New York?: American Goldfinches never fully leave New York: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by mid September, but some are still reported in every week, about 20% of checklists at the low.
When is the best time to see goldfinches in New York?: The American Goldfinch is reported most often in early August, on about 56% of New York checklists.