Place the cage where it is well ventilated and against a wall at eye level. Always keep the bird area above 55° F, though they will do much better if the temperature is kept at 77° F or warmer. Gouldians must to be kept in a heated area as they cannot tolerate cold, any dampness or drafts. A minimum of 24″ (60 cm) in height (necessary because they fly up when first taking off) and at least 28″ (70 cm) long. A cage with a good height as well as horizontal space is important. Gouldian Finches have a great need for movement. Bird nail trimmers and styptic powder to stop the bleeding are available at pet shops. Their nails may occasionally need to be trimmed, but be careful never to clip into the vein as the bird can quickly bleed to death. A bath dish that is 1″ deep with a 1/2″ of water, or a clip on bath house is very important as they love to bathe. Give your Gouldian Finch a bath daily or as often as possible. The lime in the cuttlebone also aids in digestion. Provide a cuttlebone because the calcium it provides will give your bird a firm beak, strong eggshells when breeding, and will help prevent egg binding. Grit should be provided in a special cup or sprinkled over the bottom of the cage floor. Grit with charcoal is essential to aid in digestion and it contains valuable minerals and trace elements. Finch treats of seed with honey, fruits and vegetables are fun for your bird too, as well as nutritious! In a separate cup supply green foods such as lettuce, spinach, celery tops, and chickweed. Seed moistened with cod liver oil and powdered with yeast will provide a high fat protein and vitamin D. In a treat cup you can occasionally offer supplements of diced hard boiled eggs, other egg foods, and mealworms. They will need a good supply of protein, especially when they are molting or egg laying. Care and Feeding:įresh food and water must be provided daily.Ī good finch seed mix will provide their everyday need of grass seeds and millets and is readily available at a pet store. Gouldian Finches are found in Queensland and Northern and Northwest Australia. Breeders have developed a variety of color mutations including the white breasted, yellow-headed, rose breasted, blue breasted, blue bodied, and white bodied. The black-headed Gouldian is the most common in the wild, but about one out of four will have a red head and on a rare occasion, a yellow head. Normal males have purple breasts, yellow bellies, and green bodies. The females are a bit duller, especially less intense in the breast color. Gouldian Finches are 5.5″ – 6″(14 -15 cm) with the females being a bit smaller. Chloebia gouldiae, Poephila gouldian Learn more about the Gouldian “Family”, the Estrildidae Finches here: Finch Families Description:
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