Lady Gouldian Finch

The true beauty of the finch world! A genuine 'Picasso' by any standard! A lovely passive colorful creature with a whispering song.

Description: 5 - 6 inches long. Male: Scarlet head , green back and wings. Deep purple breast and farm-egg-yolk-yellow breast. Long black tail with 2 wires extending beyond the outer tail feathers. Female is duller. Many mutations of color combinations.

Country of Origin: An Endangered Species in it's homeland of Australia.

Diet: Standard finch mix with mixed millets and canary grass. Greens and small pieces of fruit and sprouted seeds. Iodine and other trace minerals are essential for feathering or you will see balding in the birds.

Housing: Absolute minimum of 72 degrees and warmer during breeding. At least a 2 foot cage or a 6 foot or larger flight cage in a mixed aviary of passive finch.

Breeding: Calcium supplements are an absolute must for the laying hen. First year parents may toss their young. Otherwise, good parents who require egg food, greens and soaked or sprouted seed in addition to their normal diet to feed their young. They prefer a camper style rectangular box or a 6x6x6 box with 1 ½ inch entrance hole. They build an architecturally elaborate nest inside the box if nesting material is available in quantity. Provide materials such as grasses, sisal and coco fibre. 14 days of incubation shared by both parents with the hen taking the night shift. Once the young leave the nest at 21 days or so, they will not return. Readily fostered by Bengelese if required.

Recommendation: Intermediate difficulty in breeding unless all requirements are met. Otherwise, kept for their beauty like a fine expensive painting.