American Goldfinchs in Washington
When goldfinches are present in Washington, when they nest, which native Washington plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.
- Status in Washington
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- July–September
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
When to expect goldfinches in Washington
American Goldfinchs live in Washington all year. Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward birch and alder seeds; nyjer and hulled sunflower at feeders.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.
Nesting in Washington
Across Washington, goldfinches typically nest from July–September. Nest site: tight cup in shrubs or saplings, lined with thistle or cattail down; nests late, in July–September. Females lay 2–7 eggs, incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 11–17 days.
Dry, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.
- American Goldfinchs don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, rabbitbrush for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after September.
Native Washington plants that attract goldfinches
Of the regional native plants we track for Washington, these 8 provide food or cover goldfinches use:
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Feeding goldfinches through the Washington year
Goldfinches travel in flocks and can empty a finch feeder quickly. Keep nyjer fresh — they abandon stale, moldy seed.
- Best foods: Nyjer (thistle), Hulled sunflower chips, Black-oil sunflower.
- In Washington's winter: Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east.
Full diet breakdown for goldfinches · Best feeder for goldfinches
Frequently asked
Are goldfinches in Washington year-round?
Yes. American Goldfinchs are year-round residents in Washington.
When do goldfinches nest in Washington?
Nesting in Washington typically runs July–September, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 2–7 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract goldfinches in Washington?
Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Washington that provide food or cover for goldfinches.
American Goldfinchs in other regions
Other backyard birds in Washington
Sources
- American Goldfinch — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Goldfinch life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Goldfinch — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Washington
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.