Aviario AsheeVictoria, Canada
ENES
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Gouldian finches

The most colourful finch in the aviary, bred in red, black and orange-headed lines.

Gouldian genetics

Gouldian genetics is complex and wonderful: there are colours and mutations that make this bird unique. The ancestral black-headed Gouldian is thought to be the most relaxed and calm; the red-heads are more intense and restless because of their high testosterone, and the orange-heads are very rare, though today you can see them in aviaries all over the world. The rest, with different coloured breasts and backs, are the mutations: a whole universe of colours and shades. Blues, yellows, cinnamons, lutinos and satinettes (these last two have red eyes, though some cinnamons show a brown colouring, and in some cases red).

The birds in the photos

Three photos from the aviary, and each bird in them in the breeder’s own code: head, back and breast.

Four Gouldian finches on a branch perch: red, orange and cream heads, green and blue backs
  1. RH-BB-WB Red head, blue back, white breast Mutation
  2. RH-GB-PB Red head, green back, purple breast Wild type
  3. RH-GB-WB Red head, green back, white breast Mutation
  4. OH-GB-WB Orange head, green back, white breast Mutation
Gouldian finches perched through a planted flight cage
  1. BH-GB-PB Black head, green back, purple breast Wild type
  2. OH-BB-WB Orange head, blue back, white breast Mutation
  3. OH-GB-PB Orange head, green back, purple breast Wild type
  4. OH-GB-WB Orange head, green back, white breast Mutation
  5. BH-BB-PB Black head, blue back, purple breast Dilute mutation
Gouldian finches among branches and leaves in the flight: orange, black and red heads, green and blue backs
  1. RH-GB-PB Red head, green back, purple breast Wild type
  2. BH-BB-WB Black head, blue back, white breast Mutation
  3. BH-GB-PB Black head, green back, purple breast Wild type
  4. BH-BB-PB Black head, blue back, purple breast Mutation
A Gouldian finch up close: red face, black mask, purple breast, yellow belly and green back
One bird, every zone: red head, purple breast, green back.

Reading a Gouldian’s colours

Every Gouldian is three colours at once. Read them one zone at a time.

Head

Red, black or orange. Red is dominant over black and sex-linked; orange shows only on birds that would otherwise be red.

Breast

Purple is the wild colour. White is recessive, so a white-breasted chick needs the gene from both parents.

Back

Green is the wild colour. Blue birds lose their yellow pigment; yellow-backed birds soften the green.

Read the full guide
A young Gouldian finch, still plain grey-green, on a woven nest
A young bird: plain grey-green until its first moult brings in the colours.

Keeping Gouldians well

Warmth
Gouldians come from tropical northern Australia. Keep them in a warm room, away from draughts and cold windows.
Calm
They settle best with a steady routine and a quiet spot, especially when they are new to you.
Food
A good finch seed, soft food, fresh greens and clean water every day, plus grit and minerals.

Curious about a colour combination?

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