What is a Gouldian finch?
The Gouldian finch is a small, brilliantly coloured finch of northern Australia's tropical savannas. Adults have a purple chest, yellow belly, green back and a red, black or yellow face.
Gouldian finches are about 14 centimetres long and feed on grass seeds. They live in open woodlands in the Kimberley, the Top End and parts of north Queensland, nesting in tree hollows, usually in snappy gums or salmon gums.
The finch was named by English naturalist John Gould after his wife, Elizabeth, an artist who illustrated many of his bird books. Its colourful head comes in three forms, with black-headed birds the most common in the wild.
Conservation
Wild Gouldian finch numbers fell sharply in the twentieth century because of trapping, changes to fire patterns, grazing and disease. Late dry season fires destroy the grasses whose seeds they rely on. The species is listed as endangered in Australia and is the focus of fire management programs.
It is one of the most popular aviary birds in the world, and captive birds are bred in many colours.
Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary in the Kimberley protects important populations.
Did You Know?
Gouldian finch chicks have shiny, reflective spots inside their mouths that help parents find them in dark hollows.