WhenToBird

2 goldfinche species in Wyoming

When Do Goldfinches Arrive in Wyoming?

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

American Goldfinches are in Wyoming all year, but most are here in spring: numbers build from the second week of May, peak in mid May (24% of checklists), and fall back by early June. In the quietest week (the second week of October) they are still on about 6.4% of checklists. They are by far the most reported goldfinches in Wyoming.

When to look

Numbers buildMay 8-14the second week of May
PeakMay 15-21mid May
Fall back byJun 1-7early June
FewestOct 8-14the second week of October

Best: mid May. Here all year; numbers build from the second week of May and fall back by early June. Peak: on about 24% of Wyoming checklists.

  1. Januncommon
  2. Febcommon
  3. Maruncommon
  4. Aprcommon
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julcommon
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octuncommon
  11. Novuncommon
  12. Decuncommon

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

Goldfinches in Wyoming, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
American GoldfinchMay 8-14May 8-14May 15-21Jun 1-724%
Lesser GoldfinchApr 8-14Apr 8-14Aug 22-31Oct 8-142.6%
0%10%20%30%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 Wyoming 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 Wyoming

Best counties for American Goldfinch

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Campbell CountyBest late August · 119 checklists that week, 2,801 in all70%
  2. Weston CountyBest late August · 55 checklists that week, 2,297 in all54%
  3. Platte CountyBest mid May · 83 checklists that week, 1,645 in all48%
  4. Sheridan CountyBest early August · 146 checklists that week, 6,459 in all47%
  5. Laramie CountyBest late May · 709 checklists that week, 15,593 in all46%
  6. Hot Springs CountyBest the second week of July · 35 checklists that week, 1,345 in all45%

Common questions

When do goldfinches arrive in Wyoming?
American Goldfinches are in Wyoming all year, but most are here in spring: numbers build from the second week of May, peak in mid May (24% of checklists), and fall back by early June. In the quietest week (the second week of October) they are still on about 6.4% of checklists. They are by far the most reported goldfinches in Wyoming.
When do goldfinches leave Wyoming?
American Goldfinches never fully leave Wyoming: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by early June, but some are still reported in every week, about 6.4% of checklists at the low.
When is the best time to see goldfinches in Wyoming?
The American Goldfinch is reported most often in mid May, on about 24% of Wyoming checklists.
Which goldfinches are in Wyoming?
American Goldfinch and Lesser Goldfinch are reported regularly; the American Goldfinch is the most common.