Gouldian Finch

Chloebia gouldiae · Estrildidae

The most beautiful finch in aviculture, and the least forgiving of poor husbandry.

Native range: Northern Australia

Length: 12–14 cm
Weight: 14–19 g
Lifespan: 5–8 years
Maturity: 9–12 months
Incubation: 14 days
Clutch: 4–8 eggs
Ring size: Not recorded
Fledge: 21–23 days
Weaned: 6–7 weeks
IUCN: LC
Taxonomic family: Estrildidae

Diet

A quality finch mix with seeding grasses, sprouted seed and live food during rearing. Gouldians are more dependent on greens and grit than other estrildids.

Housing

150 × 60 × 60 cm minimum for a pair; a planted flight of 2 m is far better. Bar or mesh spacing 10 mm.

Temperament

Gentle and non-aggressive, suited to a mixed finch aviary provided the other species are equally placid.

Breeding

Will use half-open boxes or wicker nests. Sensitive to disturbance: a single nest inspection too many and the clutch is abandoned.

Established mutations

Blue-breasted (recessive)

Yellow-backed (sex-linked)

White-breasted (recessive)

Silver (multiple loci)

Watch for

–Air-sac mite: the commonest killer, presenting as clicking and open-mouth breathing

–Cold sensitivity below 15 °C

–Calcium deficiency in laying hens

–Stress from over-inspection during breeding

Head colour (red, black, yellow) is inherited independently of body mutations and is not a mutation but a natural polymorphism.

Sources

AviList Core Team (2025), AviList: The Global Avian Checklist, v2025, AviListprimary

Run a pairing for this species Work out hatch dates Check the ring size

All twelve at a glance

Jump to another species

Species	Incubation	Ring	Clutch	Lifespan
CockatielNymphicus hollandicus	19 d	5.5 mm	4–6	15–25 years
BudgerigarMelopsittacus undulatus	18 d	4.0 mm	4–6	6–12 years
Peach-faced LovebirdAgapornis roseicollis	23 d	4.5 mm	4–6	10–15 years
Green-cheeked ConurePyrrhura molinae	24 d	5.5 mm	4–6	20–30 years
Indian RingneckPsittacula krameri	23 d	7.0 mm	3–5	25–35 years
Gouldian FinchChloebia gouldiae	14 d	Not recorded	4–8	5–8 years
Quaker / Monk ParakeetMyiopsitta monachus	24 d	6.0 mm	4–6	20–30 years
Bourke's ParakeetNeopsephotus bourkii	18 d	4.0 mm	3–6	10–15 years
EclectusEclectus roratus	28 d	Not recorded	2	30–50 years
Sun ConureAratinga solstitialis	25 d	7.0 mm	3–5	20–30 years
African GreyPsittacus erithacus	28 d	11.0 mm	2–4	40–60 years
Blue & Gold MacawAra ararauna	27 d	14.0 mm	2–3	50–70 years

All 94 species, with the dates scheduled against your own birds.

Start your 14-day free trial