When do goldfinches leave Washington?

American Goldfinches never fully leave Washington: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by the second week of September, but some are still reported in every week, about 7.7% of checklists at the low.

When is the best time to see goldfinches in Washington?

The American Goldfinch is reported most often in the second week of July, on about 32% of Washington checklists.

Which goldfinches are in Washington?

American Goldfinch and Lesser Goldfinch are reported regularly; the American Goldfinch is the most common.

2 goldfinche species in Washington

When Do Goldfinches Arrive in Washington?

Photo: Andy Wilson, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

American Goldfinches are in Washington all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from mid April, peak in the second week of July (32% of checklists), and fall back by the second week of September. In the quietest week (early February) they are still on about 7.7% of checklists. They are by far the most reported goldfinches in Washington.

When to look

Numbers buildApr 15-21mid April

PeakJul 8-14the second week of July

Fall back bySep 8-14the second week of September

FewestFeb 1-7early February

Best: the second week of July. Here all year; numbers build from mid April and fall back by the second week of September. Peak: on about 32% of Washington checklists.

Januncommon
Febuncommon
Maruncommon
Aprpeak season
Maypeak season
Junpeak season
Julpeak season
Augpeak season
Sepcommon
Octcommon
Novuncommon
Decuncommon

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

Goldfinches in Washington, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
American Goldfinch	Apr 15-21	Apr 15-21	Jul 8-14	Sep 8-14	32%
Lesser Goldfinch	all year	–	Sep 1-7	–	2.9%

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 Washington 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 Washington

Best counties for American Goldfinch

Share of checklists at the peak

Walla Walla CountyBest mid July · 455 checklists that week, 35,829 in all51%
Jefferson CountyBest late May · 1893 checklists that week, 59,663 in all51%
Wahkiakum CountyBest the second week of August · 88 checklists that week, 5,618 in all51%
Mason CountyBest the second week of May · 750 checklists that week, 27,853 in all49%
Skagit CountyBest the second week of July · 1214 checklists that week, 78,154 in all48%
Clark CountyBest late May · 1937 checklists that week, 53,250 in all46%

Common questions

When do goldfinches arrive in Washington?: American Goldfinches are in Washington all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from mid April, peak in the second week of July (32% of checklists), and fall back by the second week of September. In the quietest week (early February) they are still on about 7.7% of checklists. They are by far the most reported goldfinches in Washington.
When do goldfinches leave Washington?: American Goldfinches never fully leave Washington: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by the second week of September, but some are still reported in every week, about 7.7% of checklists at the low.
When is the best time to see goldfinches in Washington?: The American Goldfinch is reported most often in the second week of July, on about 32% of Washington checklists.
Which goldfinches are in Washington?: American Goldfinch and Lesser Goldfinch are reported regularly; the American Goldfinch is the most common.