new to finches, gouldian questions

[starrynightxxi]

Hello!

So I have about 2 years under my belt with small hookbills, but finches are a bit of a mystery to me. A couple days ago, someone left these two gouldians at the pet store where I work. He'd only had them about two months, and said they were both male.



I'm not sure if they ARE both male, or if the black face is a hen, or dilute, or if the feathering is dull due to age or nutrition. If both are male, are they likely to continue living together in peace as they mature?

I've been doing some reading because I'd like to adopt them, but now I've become a bit paranoid about the threat of air sac mites and I'm hyper-focusing this one issue. I really don't want to risk the health of the bird that I already have, and I need some help finding information that is easy to understand regarding them, risks, treatments, etc.

I also have some concern over their feet and beaks. The beaks look to me like they just need a good conditioning perch to rub on, but it's hard to get a good image, they're very flitty little birds. As far as I know, these birds have only had a single dowel rod perch. You can see how peely the feet are, but I'm wondering if this might be a humidity issue as I doubt they've been misted or had many bathing opportunities.

If anyone can help me with some of these concerns, I'd really appreciate it. I'd love to give them a good home, and I do have the ability to QT them in a separate air space, and have a relationship with a vet familiar with treating birds.

Thanks!

[lovezebs]

starrynightxxi

Hello, and welcome to the Forum.

There are a lot of Members here who share their homes and lives with Gouldian Finches. They are lovely birds with sweet personalities, that one gets addicted to in a very short amount of time.

I'm afraid, I'm not an expert on mutations, but the bird on the right appears to be a male, Red head Green back. The one on the left, is a male as well, and appears to be molting (possibly a young bird, but hard to say). Hopefully some others will chime in with more information for you.

I'm not sure from the picture, what problems, if any they have with the feet. They might just need the opportunity to bath regularly (which they love to do). A closer picture of their feet would be helpful.

The beak on the right bird, seems so be a bit worn off at the tip, but again it's hard to tell from this picture.

Regarding two males together, normally this should not be a problem with Gouldians. On the whole, they are a peaceful bunch, that tend to get along with one another and with other finches.

If you're worrying about health issues, and have a Vet friend, get a good check up done. I personally don't find Gouldians to be sickly or weak, or any more prone to health problems than other finches. With the right diet and care, I find them to be as healthy and hardy as any other bird.

Good luck with your decision, and let us know what you decide to do.

~Elana~

[debbie276]

They are definitely 2 males. The picture isn't the best but they both look like they are SF Pastel AKA SF Yellow. If their chins are gray and not black they are Single Factor.
As far as ASM, personally I think it is well over blown and not something that you will HAVE to deal with.
Whenever you get new birds they should go through a quarantine. This will give you a chance to evaluate their health and them a chance to get used to your food, water and environment. Not to mention protect any other birds you have from possible disease or illness.
I definitely would get a recommendation from your vet in this case, many of us don't have vets available knowledgeable with finches. If it were me I'd treat them with Scatt for any ASM. Scatt because one treatment is all you need, it is effective for 21 days which is the life cycle of the mite. I'd also give them a worm treatment. The beak will be fine when he gets a good diet and better environment. You may want to have the vet look at their feet for scaley mites.
A good seed mix and getting them to eat hard boiled eggs, shell and all will go a long way to get them back into perfect shape.
When they are done with their quarantine, I'd set up a cage with a bath and multiple perch thicknesses (natural perches are best) and don't forget as much fly space up and down as you can give them. You can never give them too much space only too little.
With gouldians you don't need to worry about keeping males together they are a very layed back species and rarely fight among themselves.

best of luck and please keep us posted

[Sally]

You've already gotten good advice here, so I won't repeat it, except to say that I agree with debbie276 about air sac mites. I believe that ASM is often suspected but it is not nearly as common as what people think.

[Ginene]

Welcome to the forum! Your boys are beautiful. Gouldian finches are wonderful. If they are healthy and you decide to keep them, you will not be sorry

[wilkifam]

Welcome! Gouldians are my first and still my favorites. Beautiful Dilute boys you have there.

[starrynightxxi]

Ah, thank you! I needed someone to talk me down, just like that lol

They will certainly be coming home with me, I have been telling everybody that Leonard is three years old now and that that's old enough for him to get his first pet. He loves watching the wild birds at the feeder, and had a blue jay acquaintance that visited regularly last summer, so I think he will enjoy having some bright finches to watch, especially while i'm at work.

now i need to start figuring out what I'm going to feed them. They have a cage, but it'll need upgrading. Funny how expensive free animals are...

[delray]

Welcome! Gouldians are on my want species list.

[Societies&Zebras]

Gouldians have been my second favorite finch due to their blooming colors! That's a very beautiful set of boys you have there. starrynightxxi

[starrynightxxi]

thanks again!

I think you are right about their being single factor dilutes. Right after I posted the first post I finally found a site with pictures of some grey-headed birds that look just like this guy. They DO have grey chins. I like the bright grass green of the non dilutes better, I'll admit, but I doubt I'll miss it once these guys get some good food in them and improve their overall plumage.

I'm about to run out and see if I can find Scatt at the bird store before purchasing it online and having to wait for it to get here. They seem to be settling in nicely, i've seen them both eat and drink and the redhead is singing up a storm. He appears to be the dominant bird (and also the calmer bird lol) and he's singing his little red head off this afternoon

[starrynightxxi]

pretty bird!

not tame, but somewhat tolerant of my antics lol