Gouldian Finch

 Gouldian finch

There are hundreds of different species that make up the finch  family. They are a very small bird (2-4 inches) that come from all parts of the world. Their life span is generally 6-8 years and are a very low maintenance caged bird. I’ll only discuss the most popular species that we carry which are zebra, society and Goldfinch, and java rice finches.

گولڈین فنچ آسٹریلیا کا رہنے والا ایک چھوٹا رنگین پرندہ ہے۔ نر اور مادہ دونوں سیاہ، سبز، پیلے اور سرخ نشانات کے ساتھ چمکدار رنگ کے ہوتے ہیں۔ تاہم، مادہ کم چمکدار رنگ کی ہوتی ہیں۔ جنسوں کے درمیان ایک بڑا فرق یہ ہے کہ نر کا سینہ جامنی رنگ کا ہوتا ہے، جب کہ مادہ کا سینہ ہلکا ہوتا ہے۔ گولڈین فنچز کے سر سرخ، سیاہ یا پیلے رنگ کے ہو سکتے ہیں۔ نابالغوں کا رنگ سبز مائل بھوری ہوتا ہے۔

Caging requirements are more horizontal room than vertical for maximum flying, exercise and happiness. The wider the better in regards to their cages. Most male

finches will sing different melodies when they are in courtship with a female or looking for a mate for breeding.

1. Family rating: As these birds are the easiest to take care of and are generally not finger trained most families just enjoy watching them and their business inside their cages. They breed easy and are very prolific.

You can start with one pair and in a few short months end up with a dozen or so. Finches are peaceful birds and do well when kept in pairs or colonies. Colonizing finches is somewhat easy but it’s not without research before colonizing too many different finches as some are menacing or more aggressive than others.

Noise Level: 

Very minimal. Finches are very quiet and beep softly. The males can sing with a little volume but not much.

Cuddle Rating: 

Finches are generally not held but some can be finger trained. It is not recommended to clip a finch’s wings. They are not great flyers anyway and grounding them could causes depression or the lack of exercise can cause egg binding.

Hypoallergenic:

The finch will molt as all birds do but they do not produce a powder. You’ll see down feathers during molting season but this should not cause anyone to suffer allergies from them.

Diet/Health Concerns:

  Although generally a hardy species, finches can experience egg-binding. Provide your finch a varied diet consisting of seeds, fresh greens like broccoli and Brussels sprouts, cuttlebone and egg food. They need extra foods during molting season which you can also offer a mix of equal quantities of white millet, Japanese millet, Panicum millet and plain canary seed. They are so small and can be very susceptible to cold weather changes, mites and mosquito bites.

 

Habits and Lifestyle

Gouldian finches are social birds and outside the breeding season, they often join mixed flocks that may consist of up to 1,000-2,000 individuals. In the dry season, they usually become more nomadic and move to wherever their food and water can be found. Gouldian finches are active during the day. They often forage in small groups on the ground or in flight. These are generally silent birds but from time to time they utter a high-pitched whistling. They also make trills, soft chirps, and hisses.

Gouldian finches are monogamous and form long-lasting pair bonds. They usually breed in the early part of the dry season, when there is plenty of food around. When a male is courting a female, he bobs about and ruffles his feathers in an attempt to show off his bright colors. He will expand his chest and fluff out the feathers on his forehead. Pairs usually make their nests in tree holes. The female lays a clutch of about 4-8 eggs. Incubation lasts for 13 days done by both parents during the daytime, and the female usually stays on the eggs at night. When the eggs hatch, both parents care for their young. The chicks are altricial; they hatch naked and blind. They fledge and are ready to leave the nest 19-23 days after hatching and become completely independent at 40 days old.