How long do goldfinches live?
The oldest American Goldfinch on record lived to 13 years, a record from a bird of unrecorded origin. That is a ceiling, not an average: most wild goldfinches live only a few years.
- Longest recorded lifespan
- 13 years
- Record from
- Bird of unrecorded origin
- Age at first breeding
- About 1 year
- Eggs per clutch
- 2–7 eggs
- Broods per year
- 1–2 per season
- Size
- 4.3–5.1 in, 0.4–0.7 oz
- Rank in family (of species on this site)
- 3 of 12
Record age versus typical age
Longevity records come from birds that were marked and later found again, usually through bird banding, or from birds kept in zoos. They show what a American Goldfinch can survive to, not what most do.
For small birds, the first year is the hardest. Many eggs and nestlings are lost to predators and weather, and young birds that leave the nest still have to learn to find food and avoid hawks and cats. A bird that survives its first winter has a much better chance of living several more years. That is why average lifespans in the wild are short even when the record is long.
Goldfinches usually start breeding at about 1 year old. Each season a pair lays 2–7 eggs and raises 1–2 per season, with eggs taking 12–14 days to hatch.
How goldfinches compare with relatives
Oldest recorded ages for other finches on this site.
- Red Crossbill16.1 years
- Purple Finch14 years
- Common Redpoll12.2 years
- House Finch11.6 years
- Pine Siskin11 years
- Pine Grosbeak9.8 years
More about goldfinches
Frequently asked
How long do goldfinches live?
The longest-lived American Goldfinch on record reached 13 years, recorded from a bird of unrecorded origin. Most wild goldfinches live far shorter lives, because the majority of young birds don't survive their first year.
How old is a American Goldfinch when it first breeds?
Usually about 1 year old.
What is the oldest American Goldfinch ever recorded?
13 years, according to the AnAge longevity database.
How many young can a American Goldfinch raise in a year?
Pairs lay 2–7 eggs and raise 1–2 per season.
Source: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Human Ageing Genomic Resources), record quality "acceptable", sample size "medium". genomics.senescence.info