WhenToBird

American Goldfinch · Spinus tristis

When Do Goldfinches Arrive in Pennsylvania?

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

American Goldfinches are in Pennsylvania all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from late June, peak in the second week of August (63% of checklists), and fall back by late September. In the quietest week (early March) they are still on about 21% of checklists. They are the only regular goldfinches in Pennsylvania.

When to look

Numbers buildJun 22-30late June
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 late June and fall back by late September. Peak: on about 63% of Pennsylvania checklists.

  1. Jancommon
  2. Febcommon
  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 Pennsylvania, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
American GoldfinchJun 22-30Jun 22-30Aug 8-14Sep 22-3063%
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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania

Best counties for American Goldfinch

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Blair CountyBest early August · 173 checklists that week, 13,387 in all77%
  2. Juniata CountyBest early August · 126 checklists that week, 9,807 in all77%
  3. Fulton CountyBest late August · 149 checklists that week, 7,004 in all75%
  4. Washington CountyBest mid August · 317 checklists that week, 23,823 in all72%
  5. Jefferson CountyBest late July · 137 checklists that week, 5,956 in all72%
  6. Lawrence CountyBest the second week of August · 211 checklists that week, 15,430 in all72%

Common questions

When do goldfinches arrive in Pennsylvania?
American Goldfinches are in Pennsylvania all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from late June, peak in the second week of August (63% of checklists), and fall back by late September. In the quietest week (early March) they are still on about 21% of checklists. They are the only regular goldfinches in Pennsylvania.
When do goldfinches leave Pennsylvania?
American Goldfinches never fully leave Pennsylvania: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by late September, but some are still reported in every week, about 21% of checklists at the low.
When is the best time to see goldfinches in Pennsylvania?
The American Goldfinch is reported most often in the second week of August, on about 63% of Pennsylvania checklists.