Gouldian Finch
Chloebia gouldiae
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
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Quite agile, particularly when ground feeding and navigating through grass tussocks. Their ability to perform precise movements whilst feeding and their adept flight capabilities through woodland areas demonstrate good manoeuvrability, though not exceptional compared to some other finch species.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a small finch weighing only 14-20g, their strength is limited. However, they possess sufficient power to crack seeds and construct nests in tree hollows, though they're not particularly muscular birds.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Shows good adaptability through their ability to adjust feeding patterns based on seasonal changes and food availability. Their capacity to survive in varying savanna conditions and supplement their diet with insects during breeding season demonstrates decent adaptive capabilities, though their declining numbers suggest some limitations.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Generally peaceful birds that live in social flocks. Whilst they may display territorial behaviour during breeding season and engage in courtship displays, they're not notably aggressive compared to other bird species.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Demonstrates good endurance through their ability to forage extensively and survive in hot savanna conditions. Their capacity to move locally in response to resource availability shows decent stamina, though they tend to rest during the hottest parts of the day.
Diet
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.
Behaviour
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.
Vocalisation
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.
Nesting & Breeding
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.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Gouldian Finches near water sources in savanna habitats
- Listen for their soft, melodious whistles and twitters
- Observe them in the early morning or late afternoon when they're most active
- Use binoculars to spot their vibrant colours from a distance
- In Australia, visit northern tropical areas for the best chance of sightings
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators include snakes, birds of prey such as kestrels and goshawks, and introduced mammals like feral cats.
Did You Know?
- Gouldian Finches have three distinct head colour morphs: red, black, and yellow (rare).
- They were named after Elizabeth Gould, wife of the ornithologist John Gould.
- These finches can drink water without raising their heads, a rare ability among birds.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2022. Chloebia gouldiae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T22719744A211561819.
View source - 3
report, 2020: BirdLife Australia
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