Confusing Gouldian?
- BBry
- Hatchling
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2014 8:56 am
Confusing Gouldian?
So my family recently got a pair of gouldians from a local market place. The two have been doing well. They seem healthy and are getting along fine with our other finches.
Here are pictures of both of them: By the second day the red face male was even singing! However, a few days later we noticed something odd. The yellow face we thought was female (because of its less intense colors) started to sing as well! Is it possible we got 2 males instead? What confuses us is the fact that its colors aren't as bright as the red face, but it sings all the time now. Sometimes they both sing together.
Here are pictures of both of them: By the second day the red face male was even singing! However, a few days later we noticed something odd. The yellow face we thought was female (because of its less intense colors) started to sing as well! Is it possible we got 2 males instead? What confuses us is the fact that its colors aren't as bright as the red face, but it sings all the time now. Sometimes they both sing together.
Currently own:
1 yellow canary
2 lovebirds
2 parakeets
1 pintail whydahs
3 orange weavers
2 gouldians
2 orange cheek waxbills
3 cats
1 yellow canary
2 lovebirds
2 parakeets
1 pintail whydahs
3 orange weavers
2 gouldians
2 orange cheek waxbills
3 cats
- finchmix22
- Mod Extraordinaire
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- Location: DFW TX
Re: Confusing Gouldian?
Welcome to the forum! I can't see the top pic very well, but is there a tiel colored ring around the head, next to the red? Also, are they both singing in the same way? Hens will make calls and chirp etc, but not singing like the males. Can you post some clearer pics and get front, side and back views, if possible.
I'm sure you'll enjoy them whether two males or a pair!
I'm sure you'll enjoy them whether two males or a pair!
DEBORAH

- BBry
- Hatchling
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2014 8:56 am
Re: Confusing Gouldian?
They both have a little bit of tiel around the head. Sorry it's hard taking pictures because they move a lot and I don't have proper lighting (it's cloudy today)
And yeah they both sing exactly the same. Sometimes they will both stand together and put on a little concert
And we really don't mind if they are both males I just wanted to know because we got confused with the coloring and the singing. My mom is happier with the fact that they both sing.


Currently own:
1 yellow canary
2 lovebirds
2 parakeets
1 pintail whydahs
3 orange weavers
2 gouldians
2 orange cheek waxbills
3 cats
1 yellow canary
2 lovebirds
2 parakeets
1 pintail whydahs
3 orange weavers
2 gouldians
2 orange cheek waxbills
3 cats
- wilkifam
- Weaning
- Posts: 1771
- Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 2:01 pm
- Location: South Central Montana
Re: Confusing Gouldian?
Could be a lilac breasted male in the first picture. Definately a RH male in the second.
Any chance you could get a better picture of the first one?
Any chance you could get a better picture of the first one?
Lori
Gouldians
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African Gray - Nzinga
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1 Minpin - Ted
1 Heinz 57 - Buster Brown
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Java FInches
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2 GSD's - Heidi and Chiko
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1 Heinz 57 - Buster Brown
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- delray
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Re: Confusing Gouldian?
Welcome to the forum!!
Brian
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- BBry
- Hatchling
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2014 8:56 am
Re: Confusing Gouldian?
Is this better?
Currently own:
1 yellow canary
2 lovebirds
2 parakeets
1 pintail whydahs
3 orange weavers
2 gouldians
2 orange cheek waxbills
3 cats
1 yellow canary
2 lovebirds
2 parakeets
1 pintail whydahs
3 orange weavers
2 gouldians
2 orange cheek waxbills
3 cats
- Sally
- Mod Extraordinaire
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- Location: DFW, Texas
Re: Confusing Gouldian?
I'm not a Gouldian expert, but I would say you have two males. Beautiful birds, too! Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on diet, housing, and especially the Gouldian finch. If you put your general location in your profile, it helps when answering locale-specific questions later on.
- wilkifam
- Weaning
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- Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 2:01 pm
- Location: South Central Montana
Re: Confusing Gouldian?
Yes, looks male to me too.
Lori
Gouldians
Societies
Java FInches
Bourkes
Scarlets
Myers Parrot - Murphy
African Gray - Nzinga
2 GSD's - Heidi and Chiko
1 Minpin - Ted
1 Heinz 57 - Buster Brown
Chickens
Gouldians
Societies
Java FInches
Bourkes
Scarlets
Myers Parrot - Murphy
African Gray - Nzinga
2 GSD's - Heidi and Chiko
1 Minpin - Ted
1 Heinz 57 - Buster Brown
Chickens
-
- Bird Brain
- Posts: 14789
- Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:30 am
- Location: WV
Re: Confusing Gouldian?
Definitely a LB male, also females don't sing.
good luck with them
good luck with them
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)
GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)
GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56
- DanteD716
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Re: Confusing Gouldian?
I agree, two males. By the way what other birds do you have them housed with?
Dante
- BBry
- Hatchling
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2014 8:56 am
Re: Confusing Gouldian?
Yeah when they both started to sing I had my suspicions it was a male.
They currently share a cage with my pair of orange cheeked waxbills. They are very sweet little birds and got used to the new gouldians pretty quickly.

Currently own:
1 yellow canary
2 lovebirds
2 parakeets
1 pintail whydahs
3 orange weavers
2 gouldians
2 orange cheek waxbills
3 cats
1 yellow canary
2 lovebirds
2 parakeets
1 pintail whydahs
3 orange weavers
2 gouldians
2 orange cheek waxbills
3 cats
- BBry
- Hatchling
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2014 8:56 am
Re: Confusing Gouldian?
By the way thank you everyone for helping me and welcoming me to the forum! 

Currently own:
1 yellow canary
2 lovebirds
2 parakeets
1 pintail whydahs
3 orange weavers
2 gouldians
2 orange cheek waxbills
3 cats
1 yellow canary
2 lovebirds
2 parakeets
1 pintail whydahs
3 orange weavers
2 gouldians
2 orange cheek waxbills
3 cats
- lovezebs
- Mod Extraordinaire
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- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:51 am
- Location: Calgary Alberta Canada
Re: Confusing Gouldian?
BBry
Welcome to the Forum.
I would also say two beautiful males.
They should be fine with the Orange Cheeks.
Welcome to the Forum.
I would also say two beautiful males.
They should be fine with the Orange Cheeks.
~Elana~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
- wilkifam
- Weaning
- Posts: 1771
- Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 2:01 pm
- Location: South Central Montana
Re: Confusing Gouldian?
Now you'll need to get TWO hens for them!
Lori
Gouldians
Societies
Java FInches
Bourkes
Scarlets
Myers Parrot - Murphy
African Gray - Nzinga
2 GSD's - Heidi and Chiko
1 Minpin - Ted
1 Heinz 57 - Buster Brown
Chickens
Gouldians
Societies
Java FInches
Bourkes
Scarlets
Myers Parrot - Murphy
African Gray - Nzinga
2 GSD's - Heidi and Chiko
1 Minpin - Ted
1 Heinz 57 - Buster Brown
Chickens