16 Gorgeous Goldfinch Pictures to Brighten Your Day

Winter, summer, spring or fall, sunny goldfinches always make birders smile! Delight in our roundup of stunning goldfinch pictures.

251845902 1 Debbie Maner Bnb Bypc2020
Courtesy Debbie Maner

Goldfinches in the Sunflowers

“I grew sunflowers in my field for the first time this year, and kept a couple of vases of them on my front porch. It was so exciting to look out my front window onto the porch one day and see a couple of American goldfinches devouring sunflower seeds from the spent flowers. I refilled the vase periodically and watched this couple. This is one of the goldfinch pictures that I took while watching them. I felt so special for being able to experience them,” says Debbie Maner.

Attract more goldfinches to your yard with sunflower and nyjer seeds.

252003400 1 Jim Dickson Bnb Bypc2020
Courtesy Jim Dickson

Goldfinch in a Succulent Garden

“My wife planted succulents in a wooden planter this past spring and placed it on our deck railing. We also had a bird feeder less than two feet away, which got the attention of many, many finches. Setting my camera on a tripod with a wireless remote trigger, I baited the birds by sprinkling some sunflower seeds on the succulents. It didn’t take long. It was fun watching the birds swarming both the feeder and the succulents,” says Jim Dickson.

Here’s how to identify American goldfinches in your backyard.

252166530 1 Bob Wyble Bnb Bypc2020
Courtesy Bob Wyble

Bright Yellow Goldfinch

“This photo was taken at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Stevens, Pennsylvania. The bird is a male American goldfinch, and I like this shot because the bird is feeding on thistle seeds in a natural area,” says Bob Wyble.

Did you know—you can find three types of goldfinches in the United States.

254021757 1 Craig Gemming Bnb Bypc2020
Courtesy Craig Gemming

Puffy Goldfinch Pictures

“Each spring we get a variety of birds flocking to our backyard feeders. Most of the birds use our nearby crabapple tree as a perch prior to and after feeding. My wife and I particularly love watching the birds in the spring when our crabapple tree is covered with pink flowers. One spring morning, I captured this male American goldfinch perched high in the treetop. On this particular morning, it was very cool so he was all puffed out as if trying to stay warm,” says Craig Gemming.

Psst—the American goldfinch is gorgeous, but the lesser goldfinch is no less amazing.

275031448 1 Katrina Ackley Bnb Bypc 2021
Courtesy Katrina Ackley

Goldfinch Isn’t Fond of Snow

“This sweet goldfinch is making sure that there is no more snow accumulation! He has clearly had enough of winter. I took this photo in my backyard in Clearville, Pennsylvania,” says Katrina Ackley.

Learn how to attract and identify a purple finch.

277259062 1 Joseph Motto Bnb Bypc 2021
Courtesy Joseph Motto

Goldfinch Gets a Snack

“It was later August, the milkweed pods were bursting open, and this male American goldfinch arrived to feed. I took the photo in the garden adjacent to our home in Wisconsin. What I enjoy most is his expression and perfect pose,” says Joseph Motto.

Here’s how to plant a goldfinch garden with all their favorite plants.

277582342 1 Becca Ahrensfeld Bnb Bypc 2021
Courtesy Becca Ahrensfeld

Goldfinch With Bee

“This male goldfinch feasted on our sunflowers. There’s a bit of bee action, too! I love that the flower provides so much to all; beauty to humans, pollen for the bee and, when is past its peak, seed to the birds,” says Becca Ahrensfeld.

Pine siskin vs goldfinch: here’s how to tell the difference.

278016653 1 Kathy Bryant Bnb Bypc 2021
Courtesy Kathy Bryant

A Frosty Finch

“This little goldfinch is waiting for spring! An ice storm in February was not what he was expecting! Taken in our backyard in Virginia on ice-coated trees,” says Kathy Bryant.

Discover 7 types of finch birds to look for in winter.

278029014 1 Kathy Dennehey Bnb Bypc 2021, goldfinch pictures
Courtesy Kathy Dennehey

A Perfect Goldfinch Picture

“There is a learning garden up the road from me where I love to take pictures and find solace amongst the plants and animals. As I wander around I see plenty of goldfinches, but they’re often too fast to catch with the kit that I have on me. This time, I decided to bring my birding kit. There were so many feasting on the end of season sunflowers, or on the rudbeckias. This one was not phased in the least with me sitting there, and went about his business of checking all the sunflower heads,” says Kathy Dennehey.

Meet the humble (but adorable) house finch.

278074878 1 Lea Beard Bnb Bypc 2021, goldfinch pictures
Courtesy Lea Beard

Strike a Pose

“Sitting in my backyard one summer, I noticed a flash of yellow in the red salvia planted pot on my patio. I realized it was a male goldfinch pecking at the seeds. I love the way he appears to have stopped what he was doing in order to pose for the camera,” says Lea Beard.

Check out 25 small yellow birds you should know.

Bnbbyc17 Christy Brucks
Courtesy Christy Brucks

Winter Goldfinch Pictures

“One winter was particularly brutal for us in North Dakota during December and January. Frequently, snow storms dropped large amounts of snow. On this day, I had come home early from work due to another storm and found the lilac bushes in our backyard full of little fluffed out birds. They were eating what seeds they could find, all the while seeming oblivious to the storm. This little goldfinch caught my eye with his bright streak of yellow and made a cold, dreary day seem a little brighter!” says Christy Brucks.

Discover the 12 top tips for feeding birds in winter.

Bnbbyc17 Ingrid Fehr, goldfinch pictures
Courtesy Ingrid Fehr

A Sunny Backyard Visitor

“A goldfinch in full plumage landing on a beautiful sunflower that planted itself from birdseed seems like serendipity! This friendly goldfinch didn’t seem bothered by my husband and I sitting on our patio. He was on our feeder and landed on a sunflower. I thought he was pretty as a picture! He was kind enough to allow me to take his picture from about 5 feet away. It’s a great beginner’s luck picture!” says Ingrid Fehr.

Can you tell the difference between a yellow warbler vs a goldfinch?

Bnbbyc17 Jessica Letizia 1, goldfinch pictures
Courtesy Jessica Letizia

Golden Glow

“I took this a few years ago in Burnsville, North Carolina. I love all the yellow. There was a bush of yellow bells behind this bird, which made for a lovely photo,” says Jessica Letizia.

If you love yellow, try the top 10 classic yellow flowers to grow.

Bnbbyc17 Maribeth Vanderwoude, goldfinch pictures
Courtesy Maribeth Vanderwoude

Goldfinch Pictures on a Snowy Bird Bath

“Snow is a rare occurrence in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and this goldfinch came looking for a drink to find white stuff in the bird bath. I love the contrast of his beautiful feathers against the white snow, and I love the little dusting of snow on his beak as he dug through the snowflakes,” says Maribeth Vanderwoude.

Psst—here’s why your birds need a heated bird bath in winter.

Bnbbyc17 Ray Mueller, goldfinch pictures
Courtesy Ray Mueller

Battle of the Beaks

“As an avid nature photographer, I always watch for special moments in time to capture. These two American goldfinches flew onto my patio looking for seeds in my sunflowers. One of them flew to the flower in the photograph, and then the other one came over to check it out. What looks like a peaceful, loving moment was quite the opposite! They fought for position on the flower, and I photographed them through an open kitchen window as they continued to do battle. The brightly colored bird on the top right was the eventual winner,” says Ray Mueller.

Meet the rosy finch (and learn the best place to see one).

Bnbbyc18 Sherri Woodbridge, goldfinch pictures
Courtesy Sherri Woodbridge

Over-the-Shoulder

“I loved the backward glance this American goldfinch gave me as it sat atop my raspberry vines one summer. The photo captured her beautifully,” says Sherri Woodbridge.

When you’re done looking at goldfinch pictures, check out even more pretty pictures of finches.

Emily Hannemann
Emily Hannemann is an associate editor for Birds & Blooms Digital. Throughout her years with the publication, she has written multiple articles for print as well as digital, all covering birding and gardening. In her role as associate editor, she is responsible for creating and editing articles on the subject of birding and gardening, as well as putting together Birds & Bloom's daily digital newsletter. After graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a master's degree in magazine journalism and undergraduate degrees in journalism and English, she has more than eight years of experience in the magazine, newspaper, and book industries.