West · Central Flyway

American Goldfinch in Colorado

Spinus tristis — Fringillidae

CommonAbundance
Year-round residentSeasonal status
12Active months
209,037Observations

About American Goldfinch in Colorado

American Goldfinches specialize in seeds and readily visit gardens where mature flower heads remain standing. Nyjer feeders, sunflower chips, native seed-bearing flowers, and reduced pesticide use provide dependable food.

In Colorado, this species is classified as common. It is a year-round resident, present in all 12 months.

Monthly Activity — American Goldfinch in Colorado

Relative frequency of observations by month. Higher bars indicate peak periods for this species.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
RegularSeasonalRare

Identification

Colorsyellow, black, olive-brown
Size11–13 cm
Habitatweedy field, garden, open woodland
FamilyFringillidae
View full American Goldfinch profile →

Best Time to See American Goldfinch in Colorado

January
Peak
February
Peak
March
Peak
April
Peak
May
Peak
June
Peak
July
Peak
August
Peak
September
Peak
October
Peak
November
Peak
December
Peak

Other birds in Colorado

Birds you might also encounter in Colorado.

American Goldfinch in other states

American Goldfinch in Colorado: Quick Facts

The American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a common bird in Colorado. It is classified as a year-round resident in the state, falling within the West region and the Central Flyway migration corridor.

Preferred habitats include weedy field, garden, open woodland. For birders in Denver and throughout Colorado, knowing the seasonal patterns of American Goldfinch can help plan birding trips and backyard feeding strategies.

year-round or seasonal across most of the contiguous United States. Use the monthly activity chart above to plan your birding outings, and explore other bird species found in Colorado using the related birds section.