The key to a Gouldian's heart is...

[Rox]

Spinach!

Well for mine anyway A bit of patience and they will do anything to get to their fresh dish in the morning. Mohawk (on the dish) now lands on the dish as you walk into the aviary and happily munches while she gets carried to the food table. It's too cute

[Toddmin]

Very cute. I have a few Gouldians that will do that when I bring in fresh millet for them.

[lovezebs]

Rox

So cute, I love it!!!
Who is the bigger bird in the picture? The one with the blue feathers and the pony-tail, that's carrying the plate???

Did I read somewhere, that feeding too much spinach is not healthy for birds? Is that something to be concerned about? It seems to me that I remember something about it? Has anyone else read about it?

~Elana~

[wilkifam]

Mine love it too, but spinach should only be given in moderation.

(*) Be very careful not to give spinach more than twice a week. Spinach contains oxalic acid that combines with calcium to make calcium oxalate. Because the intestines cannot absorb this compound it is flushed out of the body, thus causing a calcium shortage....Robert Black.

from this article http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/features_diet.php

[Ginene]

Love it, Rox! Awesome Pic!!! One of my male Gouldian's is super friendly and trusting too. They are truly a wonderful species

[Rox]

Thanks everyone!! The gouldian's are definitely the tamest of my birds. Such curious little creatures

Lol Elana, that bird is me

I also read that too much spinach is not good for them but I have been feeding it daily for 2 years without issues. The gouldians have large, healthy clutches and the only time I have egg binding issues is when the temperature drops. I don't see it being a problem as long as it is not fed alone. They have lots of other goodies to eat, as well as calcium sources.

[monotwine]

Lovely!
I think this holidays I'm going to be sitting with bowls of their favourite foods and millet sprays in my hand. I would love for my finches to trust me like that.
They will approach me and take food when I'm on the other side of the wire, but if inside they are dubious that I'm the same person! Funny finches.

[lovezebs]

monotwine
I want to see pictures......

My guys will occasionally land on my head, when I contort half of myself into the flights. I think they figure that's the safest place to be, can't see them, can't catch them. Regretably, I have no pictures to share. Plus, they usually deposit some gifts in my hair, which is not that much fun, especially when you don't find it until you're in the store and people are looking at you funny.

~Elana~

[monotwine]

LOL lovezebs. Your description has me in giggles already. One day you must get someone to take a photo, or set up a self timer!

I'm lucky, my aviary roof is 2m high so I have more than ample space to walk about. Such luxury.
Time though it what I need to get mine to come to me, so holidays allows for just that. I think especially as I will have Gouldian back in the aviary they will pave the way for others to come to my hand.
Funnily enough it was my Violet eared waxbills that were usually less skittish and would take meal worms from me (if I was outside the cage). Patience, quiet and time I think is what will win them over. So I will give it a go.

If I'm successful I will totally try get pics and share.

[lovezebs]

monotwine
Looking forward to these pictures already. I can just imagine you sitting Buddha style, with Gouldians perched all over you.... a kind suggestion though, you might want to wear a plastic bag over you head to spare yourself the birdie hair conditioner (spoken from experience, it does nothing for your hair ).

~Elana~

[monotwine]

LOL natural peroxide / blonde wash, if you leave it in long enough.

[KarenB]

That's too cool, Rox! I would love to have a walk-in aviary or sun room like that.

It seems to me that the more space a finch has, the tamer it will get.

Anyway, nice setup!

[lovezebs]

monotwine
All I can say to that, is Phooo-eeee!!! .

~Elana~

[oomiedog]

So cute!! My 2 zebra finches don't seem to care about fresh snacks. I wonder why?