Chloebia gouldiae
Gouldian Finch
The Gouldian Finch is a strikingly colourful bird known for its vibrant plumage. Males display a rainbow of colours, with a bright red or black head, green back, purple chest, and yellow underparts. Their wings are adorned with blue and black feathers.
Females are generally less vibrant, with pale green or yellow heads. Juveniles have dull olive-grey plumage, gradually developing adult colours as they mature. All birds have a distinctive white beak, often with a reddish tip.
Length
13cm to 14cm
Wingspan
13cm to 15cm
Weight
14g to 20g
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Gouldian Finches are native to the tropical savannahs of northern Australia, ranging from the Kimberley region of Western Australia to the Gulf Country of Queensland. They prefer open woodland areas with a grassy understory, often near water sources.
Their distribution is patchy and has contracted significantly over the past century. They are non-migratory but may move locally in response to food availability and seasonal changes in vegetation.
Up to 370 meters
Tropical, Subtropical
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Gouldian Finches primarily feed on grass seeds, particularly sorghum and spinifex. During the breeding season, they supplement their diet with insects and their larvae, providing additional protein.
They have a unique adaptation in their beak structure that allows them to efficiently husk and consume small seeds.
Gouldian Finches are social birds, often seen in small flocks outside the breeding season. They are primarily ground feeders, hopping along the savanna floor to forage for seeds.
During the day's heat, they seek shelter in the shade of trees or shrubs, becoming more active in the cooler morning and evening hours.
Gouldian Finches have a soft, pleasant vocalisation consisting of quiet twitters and whistles. Their song is a series of rapid, high-pitched notes often described as 'ssit-ssit-ssit' or 'tseee-tseee-tseee'.
During courtship, males produce a more elaborate, warbling song to attract females.
Breeding typically occurs from February to August, during the late rainy season and early dry season. Gouldian Finches form monogamous pairs and engage in elaborate courtship displays, including bowing and tail quivering.
Nests are built in tree hollows or tall grass tussocks, constructed from grass stems and lined with soft materials. Females lay 4-8 white eggs per clutch.
Incubation lasts about 12-14 days, and both parents share duties. The chicks fledge after approximately 20 days but continue to be fed by their parents for several weeks after leaving the nest.
years
The Gouldian Finch typically lives for 5 to 8 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Although listed as Least Concern, the Gouldian Finch faces threats due to habitat loss and degradation.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring their native grassland habitats in northern Australia. Captive breeding programs also contribute to maintaining population numbers and genetic diversity.
Lady Gouldian Finch, Rainbow Finch
Main predators include snakes, birds of prey such as kestrels and goshawks, and introduced mammals like feral cats.
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website: BirdLife International. 2022. Chloebia gouldiae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T22719744A211561819.
View sourcereport, 2020: BirdLife Australia