What to feed Gouldian Finches?

[L in Ontario]

Oooh congrats and don't forget the pics!

Let us know what the breeder says about feeding Goulds, as well. Always interested to know what others have to say.

[birdclaws]

I would find whatever basic finch seed is easily available to you and something that the birds like. You can use this as your primary seed for them, but you can always add other seeds to the mix later. I like to vary what my birds eat and give them the widest range of seeds/vegetables/eggfood/supplements...etc... You can offer a variety of these things in small treat cups so they are free choice to your birds. They know what they like, or sometimes need. I'm sure you could get away offering just a basic seed to them if you do not plan on breeding, but they made need some extra protein during their annual molt.

And yes, please post photos when you get them!

[Sandra]

The breeder also says regular finch seed mix. He has a lot of beautiful birds and keeps them well. He's won quite a few ribons from what I have seen.

Male is red head/purple chest. With some blue, so the green isnt as bold. The female is a regular black head.

One question, the female has he mouth opened. Could that be a sign of stress or I should keep my eye on her? I believe she was all fine at the breeders.

I'll get some pics when they not as nervous ... the panic when I get close to the cage.

[Sandra]

not sure how to make pic work

[Sandra]

Hope this one works

[L in Ontario]

Great looking pair! The male is a dilute - indicated by the grey area under his beak - this would be intense black like hers otherwise; and the lighter green of his back

If they appeared fine at the breeders, then open mouth would most likely indicate stress so I would leave them to settle in for a while before going near them again. If you have Scatted them and put Worm Away in their water, they are all set for today.

[debbie276]

Beautiful birds!
Congratulations!

[Sandra]

Thanks!

I like them. I used to have a couple about 11 years ago ... that I had to let go when I moved here to Ottawa. So nice to have Gouldian again! The female's beak is now closed as normal so maybe was just the stress. I'll still keep an eye on her ...

[nixity]

Your "Female" looks male to me, and your male is actually a SF Pastel Green (aka "Dilute") which may be why his back appears different in color from what you may have been expecting..

Edit: Ah - just noticed Liz already pointed out the Dilute bit ;)

[Sandra]

I thought black one was female because the yellow is like washed out

Now Am wondering

[L in Ontario]

If the beak on the black one has a hint on black as I see it - it will continue to get darker as she comes into breeding condition . Males have red-tipped beaks (except blue, pastel blue and silver males who have white beaks).

[Sandra]

My Gouldians are young, about 5-6 months. Not sure if it changes anything about colours. The female's beak has some red but I do see like a hint of black, like a darker colour on top and under beak. The 'turquoise' around the black isnt as well marked as the red head, which gave me impression of female mark.

[L in Ontario]

Sorry Sandra - I am not sure if 5 - 6 months is old enough to tell for sure. Tiffany... thoughts?

[Sandra]

Sorry Sandra - I am not sure if 5 - 6 months is old enough to tell for sure. Tiffany... thoughts?

I wont sleep tonight lol ...

I was so sure black is female cuz of yellow colour, and the start of black-ish on the beach ... also the turquoise around the black is like 'washed out' ... Time will tell I guess

[nixity]

Sorry Sandra - I am not sure if 5 - 6 months is old enough to tell for sure. Tiffany... thoughts?

At first glance to me I thought male. The belly is very bright for a hen, I'm comparing to my BH WB Normal hen, and I see a bit of turquoise bordering the chest and behind the mask which you don't typically see in the WB hens:


But - when I compare this bird to one of my past BH WB Normal Males.. I see more Hen characteristics in Sandra's bird:


So - maybe she just has a very nicely colored hen

If the birds are only 5-6 months old the beak is not a good indicator of sex because the juveniles do not necessarily get their proper adult beak color until they're sexually mature. The beak on Sandra's bird appears to be gathering color at the tip like a juvenile male would begin as he matures sexually, whereas a juvenile hen would typically have the color flushed throughout the beak like so (another example of a WB hen though RH in this case):


So... I'm on the fence.
It could go either way, really.. I would need to see photos from different angles (especially the back looking down) to make a decision I'm comfortable sticking with ;)