Recent estimates suggest that less than 2,500 Gouldian finches remain in the wild. Although once common throughout northern tropical Australia, recent declines now mean that the Gouldian finch is restricted to small and isolated populations in the Northern Territory and Kimberley regions of Western Australia.
The Gouldian finch is a seed eater. During Australia’s dry season, they forage on the ground for fallen grass seeds. During the wet season, an important part of the Gouldian’s diet is the sorghum seed.
Courtship takes place for months before nesting. Males begin the courtship ritual with head bobbing, beak wiping, and feather ruffling to display their brilliant colors.
The male holds his body and tail erect, expands his chest, and fluffs the forehead feathers. Talk about putting on a show! The female may respond with some beak wiping. Gouldian finch pairs build open-cup nests in tree hollows or a termite mound. Several pairs may nest in the same tree.
The female lays four to eight eggs in a clutch, with one egg laid each day, and both adults incubate the eggs and help to raise the young. Gouldian finches may produce up to two broods in succession, with 4 to 8 eggs per clutch.
