Gouldian Finch

Chloebia gouldiae

This kaleidoscopic songbird, sometimes called the rainbow finch, lights up Australia's northern grasslands with its spectacular mix of purple, green, yellow, and scarlet feathers.

Share this bird:

Visual Identification

Appearance

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.

Size

Length

13cm to 14cm

Wingspan

13cm to 15cm

Weight

14g to 20g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Red Green Blue

Secondary Colour

Yellow Purple Black

Beak Colour

White Red

Leg Colour

Pink

Primary Colour (Female)

Green Yellow

Secondary Colour (Female)

Purple Black

Beak Colour (Female)

White

Leg Colour (Female)

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Gouldian Finch is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Gouldian Finch is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Gouldian Finch is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Gouldian Finch is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Gouldian Finch is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Gouldian Finch is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Gouldian Finch can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Gouldian Finch is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Gouldian Finch is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Gouldian Finch is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Gouldian Finch is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Gouldian Finch can be found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

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.

Elevation Range

Up to 370 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Gouldian Finch. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons