GOULDIAN FINCHES:
BASIC INTRODUCTION

EDITOR'S NOTES

EDITOR'S NOTES: THIS IS A DYNAMIC DOCUMENT. PLEASE EMAIL TO ME YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS AND CRITICISMS OF THIS ARTICLE. SPECIAL THANKS TO KARA BETZENBERGER, STEVE HELLER, KRISTINE SPENCER, VIRGINIA SUITERS, ROBIN SWEET AND CARLSON TEAKLE FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THIS WORK.

BACKGROUND ON GOULDIAN FINCHES

The Gouldian Finch, Chloebia gouldiae, is arguably the most vividly colorful bird on earth. Its native habitat is the northern region of Australia. The Gouldian Finch is an endangered species. A 2000 "Recovery Outline" (.PDF Format) produced by the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage estimated Australia's wild Gouldian Finch population to be approximately 2500 mature birds. 

Australia has a closed door policy prohibiting the exportation of animals from the country. Exportation of Australian finches was banned in 1960. The following link is to a free ebook discussing the ongoing Gouldian Finch Recovery Project in Australia:

Gouldian Finch Articles in PDF Format
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat

Gouldians are between 5 and 5.5 inches in size or 13-14 cm long. The coloration of the cock is much more brilliant than that of the hen. The male has a noticeably longer center tail feather.

Gouldian finches are much more difficult to care for and breed than heartier breeds such as zebra and society finches. Therefore, gouldians are not recommended for the novice having little or no experience with captive finches.

Gouldian finches are members of the Estrildidae bird family. Three (3) varieties of Gouldian Finches are naturally-occuring in color:
(1) The red-headed: Poephila mirabilis
(2) The black-headed: Poephila gouldiae
(3) The yellow-headed: Poephila armitiana

Although these are the color varieties generally recognized, there are any number of combinations derived from these basic colorations. Including blue and yellow-bodied mutations.

SOCIAL HABITS

Gouldian finches, like many other finches, have a beautiful soft chirp, but do not like to be petted or held. Individuals seeking pets that enjoy being held should probably shy away from the gouldian finch. Gouldian finches should be kept in one or more pairs to satisfy their need for social contact. Gouldians sing, but only the males (some better than others!).

HOUSING

Gouldian finches, whether in cage or aviary, need the largest flying space affordable. A minimum flying space of 20 inches is recommended. Cages, either metal or wooden, are the most frequent cost-effective choice for housing gouldian finches. The space between cage bars should never be greater than one-half inch. Experts report good results when employing box cages which are closed from every side but the front. Actual brass cages are not recommended because of potential toxic qualities (although, most cages brass in color are not actually made of brass).

Gouldians are easily disrupted by frequent changes in their housing environment or by movement of their cage. Frequent stress can eventually weaken a birds resistance to disease.

Gouldian finches should be kept at a temperature of approximately 70 degrees or more Fahrenheit. Different authors stress that the humidity level should be maintained at or above 50 percent and recommend the use of a humidifier. 

DIET INFORMATION

The gouldian's primary food is seed (various millet and niger seeds). Although, seed is the principal item in any finches diet, even a good mixture of seeds in not completely sufficient to insure a balanced diet. Nutrient needs change throughout the life of the gouldian finch and according to the various stages in its life cycle. Other more detailed resources should be consulted to adequately cover this topic.

Gouldian finches also need a diet supplemented with greens, such as spouting seeds, chickweed, watercress, and fresh spinach or lettuce. These plants can provide the much need vitamin E essential to the gouldian's health.

Caution: gouldians tend to get fat when given excessive amounts of live food. Obesity can lead to sterilization of males. Calcium is important to the gouldian's health. Generally, a cuttlebone, available at many pet stores, is the easiest method for assuring that this mineral is available. Crushed egg shells can also satisfy the need for calcium. Egg shells need to be sterilized to kill traces of salmonella.

Grit is another important element to the gouldian diet. Insoluble grit assists the bird in digestion of seed. Many gouldian owners provide their pets with a few teaspoons of crushed oyster shells and crushed coal to insure that the need for grit is maintained. Gouldians, not exposed to daily sunlight, should be given some form of vitamin D supplement. In fact, a wide spectrum vitamin supplement is recommended by breeders, especially when the birds are going through their first molt.

During the egg laying process, many owners and breeders recommend that a baby bird hand-feeding formula be mixed with the seed or egg food presented to the nesting pair. Introducing the hand-feeding formula is essential when the birds begin laying eggs because it is much easier to  regurgitate because it is soft and easier for the fledglings to digest. The reason for starting the hand-food formula before the birth of the offspring is to get the parents accustom to it prior to the time it is needed for feeding the young. It is important to have a good nestling food made available to them before the babies hatch. Often, beginners fail to do, because they think they can add nestling food after the eggs hatch. This is the most common reason for babies to be thrown out of the nest.

Mixing the hand-feeding formula with egg food as a preferred way of offering the hand-raising mixture to the gouldians. Boiling an egg for at least 15 minutes, then mashing it all up and adding the rearing food, and maybe some grated carrots and other vegies is an excellent way to increase the protein in their diet. Link to Eggfood Recipes

Finally, clean fresh water should be maintained at all times in the gouldian's cage. Daily cleaning and replacement is highly recommended. Incidentally, my female gouldians loved this product.

PRODUCING OFFSPRING

As a rule, gouldian finches are lousy nest builders. Bamboo baskets are often used as nesting sites. However, some experts recommend wooden nesting boxes (6x6x6 inches) with a half-open front. Nesting material can include fine hay and grass. Nesting material is also commercially available. Experts recommend that some nesting material be placed in the nest to insure that the eggs are not simply laid on the bottom of a nesting box without nesting material.

According to some breeders, gouldians are aviary birds that do not breed well in small cages and do not like to be with other species of finches. Authorities, however, differ on this issue. Aviaries are much larger structures than cages, approximately 50 cubic feet or more in size.

The mating ritual of gouldian finches is one of the most interesting events to observe. At one stage of the courtship ritual, the cock will jump straight up and down in order to provoke a response from the hen. Both sexes also proceed to bow and shake their beaks to each other. The hen may flutter her tail feathers. They are private birds, and copulation occurs most often in their nest.

Egg laying usually involves the formation of clutches of four to six eggs. The eggs emerge approximately once every 24 hours. Active brooding begins after the third egg is laid. Hatching will begin approximately 15 to 18 days after breeding begins. Gouldians may also wait until the very last egg is laid to start incubation. It is very important not to disturb or disrupt the nest during this period. In other words, do not constantly inspect the nest. Full feathered fledglings should appear after approximately 22 days.

Some breeders go so far as to recommend never inspecting the gouldians' nest, especially after the babies are born. They indicate that inspection may scare the gouldians and result in abandonment of the babies.

During the breeding of gouldians, the parent birds need to be fed a special diet. Please see the discussion about under diet to information in this regard.

Serious breeders also maintain pairs of Society (Bengalese) finches (commonly referred to as the "brooding hens of the finch world") to foster parent eggs or babies that do not appear to be receiving adequate care from their gouldian parents.

Owners of gouldians should not be surprised by their natural molting. It takes months for them to color up and get their adult feathers which helps explains why they are so expensive. It is important not to allow finches that are closely related to produce offspring. Inbreeding will result in a weakening of the offspring and eventually the breed.

Producing offspring naturally leads into our next discussion, health issues. Eggbinding, which obviously occurs during this period is one of the most serious health issues facing gouldian breeders.  

HEALTH ISSUES

The most frequently mentioned Gouldian finch health issues are:

• Air Sac Mites

• Eggbinding

Air sac mites attack a birds respiratory system. These following link offers a number of articles concerning this health problem: http://www.finchworld.com/health/airsac_mites.htm

Eggbinding is an especially serious problem effecting female gouldian finches during the time that they are attempting to lay eggs. The egg gets lodged in the birth canal and the gouldian female is unable to pass it. The female gouldian would will become so weak that she sits at the bottom of the cage. This is a serious condition and necessitates immediate action. Preferably, it is always best to consult a qualified avian veterinarian. The following link is to articles concerning this health topic: http://www.finchworld.com/health/eggbinding.htm The calcium supplement Neo-Calglucon (calcium glubionate) has been very effective in assisting in emergency situations.