Tell me the why's on Gouldian ownership.....?

[annague]

Hello all you gouldian owners,

Okay, now, I have no gouldians but I have been reading a lot about gouldians on this forum and elsewhere.

I understand that these birds may be endangered in Australia (which is reason enough to breed them) but please share with me why there is so much madness about owning and breeding gouldians -- not including the fact that they are such pretty birds...which is a given -- they've got to be just about the prettiest birds on the face of the earth.

Is it that every clutch can be different?

Are there personalities great, too?

Is it that they are a challenge?

Is it all of the above?

Give me the lowdown on these guys -- I want to get some eventually -- but would gouldians go okay with small waxbills?

I've heard they can be bullies.

Tell me why you (all) like them so much. I sincerely want to know.

Thanks,

[lovemyfinch]

So many answers , so little space
If it were for every clutch can be different....well zebbies have them beat.
They have such sweet personalities, and a serene look about them. (Mind you I did say look)
I don't really think that being a challenge would be a reason, as with any other species, you can have excellent parents..and you can have just downright frustrating parents.

I love their beauty, the fact that they are quiet. I also enjoy the fact that my babies have to stay with me longer than other species in order to colour up.

Let's just say....what is there not to love about them.

[L in Ontario]

There are as many different answers and reasons to own Gouldians as there are to own any/all finches by all the breeders and owners. I think you've pretty well answered your question with all your answers already - well done!

As for Waxbills - I suppose it depends on the type of Waxbill. Some Waxbills are pushier than Gouldians. You can check out Waxbill compatibility, among many other species, over on the Finch Information Center which is linked on the left side of your screen.

[Jan]

Beyond the fact that they are one of the most beautiful birds God put on this earth, there is something different in their behavior from pretty much any other bird I have raised.. They can be so curious, so innocent, they are just precious... Note, I did not mention intelligence as at least in my experience, they are not the sharpest crayon in the box

[B CAMP]

Just look at them

[Domenic]

Probably the intrigue on all the different mutations and combinations that are possible with them. They are very beautiful, and there is also a nice sized market for them, making offspring easier to sell for the hobby breeder. Breeding other species, you may end up stuck with the chicks for a long long time. Gouldians are pretty quick sellers.

[debbie276]

For me it's the fact that they are so calm and quiet. They have a soft sweet song and I never find myself saying "enough" like I did with other birds. I also don't think they are as flighty as some and often times just sit and watch me as if saying "what are you doing now". I can't really say I've ever had a problem breeding them so I don't find them frustrating at all in that way. As far as their care, you can make it as difficult or as easy as you want. I have great success with a very simple diet.

[dfcauley]

Note, I did not mention intelligence as at least in my experience, they are not the sharpest crayon in the box

I agree 100% with that quote!

I also love the gouldians and have many of them. But .... let me say that they are the ONLY birds in my aviary that really give me problems with their health. They do have alot of needs it seems the other finches don't. But they are worth it with their personality, beauty and charm.

[CandoAviary]

Own and breed them???? Because they are everything you could want in a finch. Beauty, Song, Variety, Interactions, Simplicity

I have some that are quite intellligent... then some..well not so much.
I love that you can raise offspring without having to provide live foods.
I love people's reactions that see them for the first time.... "Are those really that color?"
I frequently answer that question by saying no, I stayed up all night painting them. One boy around 5 years old at the last fair looked at me like....hmmmm, really. I told him that I was just kidding and he said "I know that, 'cause if you really painted them last night they would be wet and dripping" He tickled me.
The one drawback to them is finding good homes for the young you produce.
The market for them is hard sometimes. There are so many breeders and many that don't band, keep records, or foster raise by the boatload. This can make selling hard with so many at really low prices. I am amazed at how many people with spend 30 minutes at my booth sucking up the information that I try to provide...then they go to the brokers table and pick up a pair for half the price. Mind you they could be buying brother and sister, old or young, for all they know...no records and no bands to tell either. Many just want the beauty at the cheapest price...and then become very disillusioned and think they are difficult birds. When they may have bought old, sick or related birds that was the cause of thier failure. This is the only thing that I find frustrating about gouldians. I would never knock the other vendors (I even buy from them ocassionally... though I know what I am looking at, I quarentine, and I pair with known unrelated birds of my own) so I can not blame them for selling to make a living, But I do my best to educate the public for the sake of the gouldians no matter where they are bought from.
The gouldians only downfall.... they are so beautiful that people will impulse buy them without a clue to thier needs. I have seen this litterally hundreds of times working the pet store and unfortunately it is the birds that pay the price.

[annague]

You all have given me some interesting facts to think about.

It is interesting that gouldians are relatively calm -- I did not know that (haven't even seen a real, living gouldian yet) and I think I would like that, too.

Not the sharpest crayons in the box?

You know, I think my canary's and my RCCB's probably beat all my other birds, there. They remember things, are usually the first to work something out (like how to use a new waterer, etc) and do not panic blindly when startled -- they are crafty, opinionated birds that don't hesitate to scold you if they don't like what you're doing.

The gouldians ARE spectacular -- and seeing a lot of them together --(like Candace's recent pic's of her 2010 birds) WOW!! It's a knock-out punch.

Candace, when I'm able to get a pair I promise it will be from you... I am in awe of your beautiful gouldians!

[KoacNation]

I'm gonna punt this one. It's for their mesermizing beauty.

The heart wants what it wants.

I see all finches to be extremely adorable to watch for their habits and personalities, but in gouldians, it's like you're watching the most beautiful.

I mean, would you rather watch Brad Pitt and Salma Hayek do laundry or Dick Cheney and Elena Kagan?

Call me "lookest"! . . . I've been called worse!

(this is meant to be in jest with a real point, hope it came across as such)

[annague]

Point taken -- Brad Pitt and Selma Hayak, definitely.

You gave me an honest answer and there's nothing wrong with honesty in my book!

I think the gouldian colors are spectacular and they seem to have "poise" too -- as if they know they are beautiful.

But I tend to like the small waxbill body type best. (Small beaks, and short round bodies as opposed to the large triangular beaks and long bodies of gouldians, society and many other finches).

However, the colors of the waxbills (and seemingly every other bird) cannot compete with those marvelous gouldians and their rainbow of colors.

I think if I could be sure they would be good parents that would cap it all -- but I'm guessing a lot of that is hereditary? (according to Fidler).

[lovemyfinch]

Own and breed them???? Because they are everything you could want in a finch. Beauty, Song, Variety, Interactions, Simplicity
.

Candace, how did you do that So simply said, and all wrapped into one nice neat little package. Just like a gouldian

[Domenic]

My only wish is that they would be more "loving" towards eachother like other finches. They don't like to be touched or have their space invaded.

[annague]

I know what you mean, Domenic, about the other finches being so loving towards each other -- my societies, bccb's and rccb's will feed each other's babies and all scold me if ANY babies are about (even if they are not THEIR babies)

Such sweet birds!