Lady Gouldian finches are the best finches you can keep
Lady Gouldian finches also known as the Rainbow finch or the Gould’s finch, is a colorful passerine bird found in Australia. Even if the bird is being bred in captivity, there is evidence that they continue to decline. People were encouraged to keep the Lady Gouldian finches in their homes after the declaration that they are endangered species in the wild. The bird has been named after the first person who described it John Gould during the year 1844. It is a member of the Estrilididae weaver finch family or is considered as a member of the subfamily Passeridae.
The origins of the Lady Gouldian finches
The Lady Gouldian finches are believed to be of Indian origin and that it may have dispersed towards Pacific Ocean and Africa. The female and the birds are both colored in different colors such as marking, yellow, green and black. However, the females are not brightly colored as males. The difference between the sexes is that the chest of male is purple while the one of female is mauve.
The Lady Gouldian finches can be about 140 cm and the head can be black, red or even yellow. These colors were used to differentiate the types of Lady Gouldian finches kinds. However selective breeding can have different colors such as silver, yellow, blue and green on the back.
Distinctive feature of Lady Gouldian finches
Young Lady Gouldian finches also have their own distinctive colors. The heads, necks and sides can be grey while their backs, tail feathers and wings look like olive green. The underside is pale brown. The beaks look blackish with a red tip. Feet and legs are light brown. The newly hatched Gouldian Finches are pink and naked until they reach 12 days old and the feathers will begin to appear. The beaks of young birds have phosphorescent beads that help their parents to recognize them in dark. The Lady Gouldian finches live in tropical savanna woodlands and they are move only within a small radius. They can change their habit only when the food or water has been reduced. Before the government of Australia put a ban on the Export of all Australian Fauna, Lady Gouldian finches were being exported in the whole world. This is why you will find many breeding population in different countries. This breeding in captivity has helped to breed the birds with many color mutations. The result is blue back, white breasted, yellow back, silver, pastel or even pure white birds.
Lady Gouldian finches are endangered birds
Since the habitat of Lady Gouldian finches have been altered or decreased, the birds also begun to decline in number. The research has shown that the air borne parasite known as sac mite had been responsible for this decline. The birds are also known to be susceptible to different disease or viral infections. They are easily caught up by predators because of their bright colors. However, the Lady Gouldian finches which are in the trouble are the one still in the wild. The ones breed for pet trade are popular and they have survived for long. The conservation methods include protecting their natural habitats.
