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

[Domenic]

In my opinion the normal colors are by far the most vibrant. Blues come in second to me, yellows in third. If I were you I would start with a pair of normals.

And in case you're worried, gouldians have been raised in captivity for many generations now. The imports from Australia stopped a while ago, so no new wild caughts.

[CandoAviary]

Colors...where does one begin????
I think all the colors are beautiful I also have seen different degress of colors in each of the mutations. Some yellows as well as the other back colors can get very washed out. I feel this is mainly due to diet and genetics. Of course if you start off with dull birds, well you get dull birds. Also foods rich in lutein will dramatically increase the yellow hues along with red as lutein is converted in the body of the bird to produce strong red and orange colors.
Domenic, you need to see some well bred yellows and you would change your mind. I too don't care for the pale, faded masked birds. To me this is purely a sign of poor quality birds. Though unfortunately you see this a lot in yellows and silvers
Though you can also get dull green/normal birds if they are not kept/fed well.

Anna, the colors can very from bird to bird even within the same mutation. Very evident in the silvers. I am with you on the understated beauty of these goulds. I like the bright colors of the normals, the softer colors of the blues, the pop of the yellows, and in the lilac breast the pastel colors...... and then the silvers. They are like the opals of the gem world. understated yet a real gem
Some are greyish/silver, some with a blue sheen. some white, some even look like a purple sheen on them. It is hard for the camera to pick up some of the opalescent colors of the really light colored ones...but in person...wow.
I think the single factor produce the most interesting colors, double factors are white, with little color. They remind me of plush stuffed animals, they look so soft. Here are a few of mine:







same bird as above














Solid white hen


I have several of these nesting now so will have some splits soo I hope...next year I will be producing strong and beautiful silver of my own lines

[annague]

(sigh)... they are so pretty.

The silver one that has a straw colored head is really unusual... but I loved the yellow ones with the lilac breasts, that you showed pictures of, too.

Maybe I should get one brightly colored pair and one muted colored pair.

Candace, thanks so much for the pictures -- do the "splits" mean that babies could go either way colorwise?

I think I would like to get splits if so because it would be fun to see how many different colored babies I could get in a clutch.

I have a feeling if I got 2 pairs I would soon want more... It's a disease!

[annague]

Candace, thanks for showing me some silvers.

Would you show me a picture of one that YOU think is one of your most spectacular birds and that you love?

I like to make up my mind by listening to everyone's thoughts first especially because you live with these birds and see them every day.

[Kathryn]

It's been a little over twenty-four hours, and I now know why.

[annague]

Are you going to share?

[CandoAviary]

It's been a little over twenty-four hours, and I now know why.

You understand because you are now a gouldian owner of 24 hours. Congrats and I know you will love the goulds.

[CandoAviary]

That is a tough one Anna. I like the different mutations for different reasons. But if I had to have only one color of gouldian I would have to go with:


Mated Pair...one of my first


Yep, the red head, purple breast, normal green back. Just like in the wild. This is what drew me to these beautiful finches many years ago. My first pair were these which had chicks... I bought mates for them and well the addiction went into overdrive. These still dazzle me though

[lovemyfinch]

Are you going to share?

I think the problem is trying to pick just one when every single one of them is beautiful in their own right

[annague]

Spectacular birds, Candace!

Is your original pair still alive? (I'm assuming).

How old are they? The look fantastic.

I think I may want one pair with vibrant colors and one pair with muted...

[CandoAviary]

Anna,
My original pair have passed away, just last year though. I bought them early 2000 and they were fully colored when I bought them... I had them as pets in my apartment behind my grooming/boarding facility. They bred 1 time in 2002 and had 4 red head boys and 1 red head girl. When the boys were 5 years old I decided to try and get mates and breed them. I bought 2 Red head girls and 2 Black head girls. I thought they were too old but was going to try anyway. Lordy, they had 32 offsprings that spring, 2008. The top picture with the light blue band is a grandson to my original pair. The sons that I paired in 2008, 2 have passed away, 2 are going strong at 8 years old. They really enjoy sunning on the balcony aviary.
Here they are in the bottom flight on the left

And here is one of the old ones looking back

Beautiful


I am getting ready to pair my rested breeders up soon. The hens have been sunning also in the top flight. Finished their moults, beaks are dark and I found 2 eggs in the bottom tray. Yep, time to pair them back with the boys More beautiful red heads coming up
I also will breed the grandsons... so there will be a 4th generation of these beauties I hope to continue this line until..well forever
They are beautiful, healthy and long lived...what more could you ask for.

I don't know if I will set the old boys up or not. If they seem to really want to breed (though they probably aren't fertile ..or just barely) I may let them foster. I would rather them die happy than to die frustrated. Here is a link that I posted this past January about their brother. He was an amasing Daddy, even though they were foster children, he was the best Dad. I usually keep my old breeders for fostering. They make the best fosters of all, no diseases to pass on, they inprint perfect on the goulds, etc.
Warning, post is sad.
http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... rtbreaking

[JezeKat]

thats what color of gouldian

i want a bright red head purple chest green back yellow tummy Blue lines

[lovemyfinch]

That would be a normal Red Head Purple breast Green Back male. RH PB GB.

[annague]

Candace, that was so touching about Rhett... What a fine tribute to a fine boy...

It's amazing how much you grow to love these little birds and how they can touch you with their beauty, their character and the commitment they exhibit towards their mates and their babies and life in general-- in some ways I think they show us how WE should live -- focusing on our loved ones and the simple joys of life and living IN the moment.

Your birds have the sort of history every bird lover should search for in order to raise well-adjusted, happy babies that are beautiful as well!

[CandoAviary]

Thank you Anna. And yes, my birds have taught me much about living in the moment and appreciating the day and what it brings.
They arise each morning full of song and joy.... this spirit is contagious to me
One of my favorite quotes:
" Faith is the bird who sings while the dawn is still dark"