The Gouldian finch, also known as the Gould's finch or the rainbow finch, is a colourful passerine bird that is native to Australia.
Region
Northern Australia
Typical Environment
Found in tropical savanna woodlands with scattered eucalypts and patches of native grasses. It favors areas near permanent or seasonal water and requires daily access to drinking water. Breeding occurs in woodlands with suitable tree hollows, often near seeding grasses. The species avoids heavily overgrazed or frequently burnt tracts where grass seed availability is low.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The Gouldian finch, also called the rainbow finch, is famed for its vivid plumage and occurs naturally only in northern Australia. It exhibits three natural head-color morphs—black, red, and the rarer yellow—which persist in wild populations. Wild numbers have declined due to altered fire regimes, grazing pressure, and reduced nesting hollows, though it remains common in aviculture.
Black-headed male Gouldian finch
Newly hatched Gouldian finch chicks
A young Gouldian finch (first day out of the nest) – note the blue nodules on the side of its beak
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Outside the breeding season it forms small to medium flocks that move locally in search of fresh seed. During breeding, pairs are monogamous and nest in tree hollows, sometimes in loose colonies. They line nests with grass and lay clutches typically of 4–8 eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Soft, high-pitched trills and tinkling notes, delivered most often by males. Contact calls are thin, sibilant chips used to keep flock cohesion.
Plumage
Exceptionally bright and clean plumage; males are more vividly colored with a glossy appearance, females slightly duller. Back is bright green, belly yellow, breast purple, with a contrasting black throat band and pale bill that darkens at the tip in breeding season.
Diet
Primarily a grass-seed specialist, taking ripe and half-ripe seeds from native savanna grasses. It shifts to softer, protein-rich foods including small insects and their larvae when feeding nestlings. Birds often husk seeds on the ground or pluck them directly from seed heads. Seasonal movements track grass seeding after rains.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in open savanna, along grassy floodplains, and at the edges of lightly burnt areas where fresh grass growth occurs. Foraging typically occurs near water sources where the flock can drink daily.
