Gouldian Finches

There are many colourful birds in the world, and one of the most colourful is the Gouldian Finch. 

The Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae), also known as the Lady Gouldian finch, Gould's finch or the rainbow finch, is a colourful oasserine bird endemic to Australia (Wikipedia).

I love finding them. Who wouldn't. I am yet to see and Orange-headed male or female in the wild, but have come across many Black-head and quite a few Red-headed adults, both male and female.

Their calls are quite different to the other birds they hang out with, so once you know the call, finding them is quite easy. As with most birds, sitting quietly and unobtrusively like under the shade of a tree, will give them confidence you aren't a threat and they can become quite confiding. Below are a few of the many photos I have taken this year in the wild of the Gouldian Finches. I hope you enjoy.

Gouldian Finch

Birding the highways - Alice Springs to Lajamanu

Back on the road for work once more. Leaving an almost freezing Alice Springs (I think it was 4 degrees when I woke up yesterday morning), it was a nice thought to be heading back into warmer weather.

Day 1 was fairly uneventful, stopped in quickly just north of Tennant Creek to check out a newly discovered site then at Newcastle Waters and finally stopped for the night at Dunmarra.

Early start this morning, and stopped for a coffee about 60 kms down the Buchanan Highway where I met a grader driver working for Buchanan Downs. He said since the new dams had been put in there were now lots more finches, including Gouldians. Great to hear.

I had a couple of great birding stops. The Illawarra Creek almost at the western end of the Buchanan Highway as you approach Top Springs once again proved fruitful for finches - 6 types in total - Gouldians, Double-barred, Masked, Long-tailed, Zebra and Crimson Finches were all there. The second place was Camfield River on the Buntine Highway. I had found Purple-crowned Fairy-wrens there before and was delighted to find them again, although the photo opportunities weren't great.

And finally, some Australian Bustards strolling across the road just before I turned off the bitumen onto the Lajamanu Road. A tiring but enjoyable drive.

Gouldian Finch

Double-barred Finch

Long-tailed Finch

Masked Finch

Zebra Finch

Purple-crowned Fairy-wren

Australian Bustard

Finches, Finches, Finches .... and a Mannikan

I have travelled through the land of Finches in the past couple of days. I feel like I'm living atop the Magic Faraway Tree!

The collection of Finches is a wonderful sight. Some places had one or two species, others had 6 or more. The Top End, or the southern extremities of the Top End of the Northern Territory are a bird-watcher's paradise. The Finch species are normally quite noisy, and the bird song has been everywhere. Here are a few snaps:

Gouldian Finches

Long-tailed Finches

Masked Finch

Crimson Finches

Double-barred Finch

Long-tailed, Double-barred and Zebra Finches

and a Pictorella Mannikan

Gouldian Finch photos, Black headed, Red-headed and Juveniles

It has been a big weekend. More posts to come in the following days. 

I stopped at the start of where I had seen Gouldians early last week. On that occasion I only had one adultand a couple of young ones. This time, they literally dropped from the trees (onto the grass below, right outside the car).. One, two, five, eight, ... and I could hear more across the road. I am thinking at least 20 in total. Great to see them doing well in the wild.

I decided not to get out of the car, just take photos with the window down on the passenger side. This worked well, and, not so well. I did get a bit excited when I saw the Red-headed Gouldian Finch, but it stayed low in the grass for much of the time.

Anyway, hope you enjoy the photos, and if you are ever on the Buntine Highway south of Top Springs, make sure you have a look around at Townsend Creek, you never know what you'll find.

Gouldian Finches