WhenToBird

2 goldfinche species in Texas

When Do Goldfinches Arrive in Texas?

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

American Goldfinches and Lesser Goldfinches are the goldfinches you are most likely to see in Texas. American Goldfinches are winter birds in Texas: the first arrive in early November, they are common by mid November, peak in the second week of February (19% of checklists), and most are gone by mid March.

When to look

First arrivalsNov 1-7early November
Common byNov 15-21mid November
PeakFeb 8-14the second week of February
Most gone byMar 15-21mid March

Best: the second week of February. First arrivals early November; most are gone by mid March. Peak: on about 19% of Texas checklists.

  1. Janpeak season
  2. Febpeak season
  3. Marcommon
  4. Apruncommon
  5. Mayrare
  6. Junnot usually seen
  7. Julnot usually seen
  8. Augnot usually seen
  9. Sepnot usually seen
  10. Octrare
  11. Novcommon
  12. Decpeak season

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

Goldfinches in Texas, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
American GoldfinchNov 1-7Nov 15-21Feb 8-14Mar 15-2119%
Lesser Goldfinchall year–Sep 8-14–14%
0%5%10%15%20%American GoldfinchLesser GoldfinchJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • American Goldfinch
  • Lesser 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 Texas 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 Texas

Best counties for American Goldfinch

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Sabine CountyBest late January · 53 checklists that week, 1,870 in all75%
  2. Angelina CountyBest late January · 250 checklists that week, 10,009 in all70%
  3. Shelby CountyBest early December · 16 checklists that week, 1,347 in all67%
  4. DeWitt CountyBest late January · 97 checklists that week, 4,050 in all65%
  5. Hardin CountyBest the second week of February · 101 checklists that week, 4,379 in all65%
  6. Houston CountyBest late January · 70 checklists that week, 2,934 in all64%

Common questions

When do goldfinches arrive in Texas?
American Goldfinches are winter birds in Texas: the first arrive in early November, they are common by mid November, peak in the second week of February (19% of checklists), and most are gone by mid March.
When do goldfinches leave Texas?
Most American Goldfinches have left Texas by mid March, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early May.
When is the best time to see goldfinches in Texas?
The American Goldfinch is reported most often in the second week of February, on about 19% of Texas checklists.
Which goldfinches are in Texas?
American Goldfinch and Lesser Goldfinch are reported regularly; the American Goldfinch is the most common.