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Gouldian Finch |
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Bird Breeds:
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DESCRIPTION
The Gouldian Finch is 5 1/2 inches (14cm). Scarlet head, bordered with
narrow black band, followed by a broad turquoise band. Throat and chin
black. Breast deep purple, followed by golden-yellow. Neck, wings and
tail green. Undertail coverts white. Black tail. Eyes brown, beak white
with smudges of red, legs pink tinted. Also black-headed form (most common
in wild) and yellow-headed form (rare). Female duller and bill charcoal
during season.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION
Northern Australia, especially Kimberley district.
HABITAT
The Gouldian Finch likes grassy plains with trees, mangrove swamps and
thickets, near water.
DIET Protein-rich
foods, vitamins, minerals, soaked and just-sprouted small seeds. Avoid
white millet as this causes illness and even death among Goulds.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Dry, warm (86°F/30°C) aviary at humidity of about 70 per cent.
CAGE LIFE
The Gouldian Finch is a Social bird. Hollow log or half-open nest box
6 X 6 X 10 inches (15 X 15 X 25cm), entrance 2 inches (5cm), which they
line with dry or fresh grass, hay or coconut fibre. Don't furnish materials
longer than 4 inches (10cm). Some pairs prolific, others need Bengalese
as foster parents. Lay 3 to 8 eggs, incubation 14 to 16 days by both partners,
fledging 21 to 24 days. First moult at 8 to 10 weeks, adult colours at
5 months.
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