Do American goldfinches migrate?

American goldfinches migrate seasonally but may linger if food is abundant. They can be seen year-round from the Great Lakes and Maine south to nearly the Florida border and west to Washington and Oregon. They can be seen at least seasonally in all 50 states, southern Canada and northeastern Mexico.

Goldfinches' preferred habitats include weedy fields, scrub forests, roadsides, orchards and backyards in suburban areas. They eat seeds, especially those of thistles and plants from the aster family. They also eat insects. They are easy to attract to bird feeders with sunflower and nyger seeds and also come to bird-friendly gardens that provide both food and nesting materials.