When the eggs hatch, both parents care for the young. Both parents help brood the eggs during the daytime, and it is the female who stays on the eggs at night. After mating, the female will lay a clutch of about 4–8 eggs.

He will expand his chest and fluff out the feathers on his forehead. When a male is courting a female, he bobs about and ruffles his feathers in an attempt to show off his bright colors. They usually breed in the early part of the dry season, when there is plenty of food around. Gouldian finches will usually make their nests in tree-holes. In the dry season, they are much more nomadic and will move to wherever their food and water can be found. During the breeding season, they are normally found on rough scree slopes where vegetation is sparse. Flocks can consist of up to 1,000–2,000 individuals. Outside the breeding season, Gouldian finches often join mixed flocks consisting of long-tailed finches and masked finches. Fires are listed as the primary threat to the natural populations. Their beautiful colours mean that they are easily caught by predators. In general, Gouldian finches are susceptible to diseases and viral infections. This is no longer considered to be a major factor. Early research indicated a parasite called the air sac mite was responsible for the decline of the species. Their habitat has been reduced or altered. The number of Gouldian finches has decreased quite dramatically during the 20th century. There is also a lutino and albino mutation in the United States, established by Winnie McAlpin of Delmar Aviaries. The most common body mutations in the United States are blue, pastel green (single and double-factor, resulting in 'dilute' and yellow males and yellow females), and pastel blue (again, single and double-factor producing 'pastel' and silver males, and silver hens). Mutations vary by country, with some existing only in Australia (the Australian yellow and the Australian 'dilute') and others existing in greater number in the United States, such as the blue bodied Gouldian. These birds have resulted in viable breeding populations being held in many countries.Ĭaptive breeding has resulted in several colour mutations. Prior to the Australian government's ban on the export of Australian fauna, Gouldian finches were exported worldwide. A young Gouldian finch with the beginnings of bright adult plumage

Goulds amadine