Helen's+report+on+an+endangered+Australian+animal

Gouldian Finches
Gouldian Finches are one of the Australia's prettiest birds. They live in savanna woodlands where there are a lot of open plains with tall trees. Gouldian Finches are protected in Australia.There are many interesting aspects to Gouldian Finches including their appearance, habitat and diet.

Gouldian Finches are very attractive. They have a bright green back, yellow belly and a purple breast. About 75% have black faces and the other 25% have red faces. The young Gouldian Finch is a dark ashy grey around their head and hind neck and olive on the back and tail.The under parts of the tail are brown white, the belly is light yellow.

Gouldian Finches can only be found in Australia. They mainly live in tropical northern sub-coastal areas from Derby, In Western Australia, to the Gulf of Carpentaria and to central Cape York Peninsula. Small numbers can be found in the north and north-west of Western Australia. The birds move to south in the rainy season and return in the dry season. They often breed in the last part of the rainy season because they can find plenty of food at that time. Gouldian Finches build nests in tree hollows or holes in termite mounds and share the nests when they are nesting. Sometimes they make nest in tall grasses.

Gouldian Finches eat ripe or half-ripe grass seeds most time of a year. However, during the breeding period, their diet entirely depends the insects. The young birds like to eat insects. Gouldian Finches feed their babies in small group. Now Gouldian Finches are listed as endangered. Unfortunately, as Gouldian Finches are so colourful, they are targets for the illegal bird trade. These illegal trapping, preditors and the effect of the fire and degradation of their habitat has reduced their numbers alarmingly.