Gouldian Finches Breeding Information

Gouldian finches, also called lady gouldians, breed in May and June after molting, according to the website Frisky Finches. These colorful birds thrive in pairs or in flocks and breed easily in captivity. Proper diet, plenty of fresh water, and private nest boxes usually cause these birds to breed on their own, but a few tricks may encourage breeding in reluctant birds.

  1. Mates

    • Sexually mature cocks have white beaks with a red or orange tip. Hens have the same color green on their back as males, but their breasts and bellies are paler. Males sing far more often than females. Not all gouldians will wish to mate with one another. A receptive hen remains near the male when he sings, bowing bows and dancing in front of him. The hen's beak will darken to gray or black she is ready to breed. Gouldian finches mate for life, so separating a bonded pair can stress birds. To accept a new mate, the old mate must be out of sight and hearing.

    Breeding Cages

    • Garrie P. Landry of Acadiana Aviaries in Franklin, Louisiana, provides cages which are at least 20 inches tall, 24 inches wide and 16 inches deep for breeding pairs. He provides two perches and hangs the nesting box outside of the cage with the entrance just above one of the perches.

    Feeding for Breeding

    • A healthy seed mixture fed year-round with supplemental fruits and vegetables keeps birds in healthy condition. LadyGouldianFinch.com recommends adding a mixture of chopped boiled egg, powdered kelp, trace minerals, bee pollen, and crushed hulled sunflower seeds during breeding season. The extra nutrition in this food will incite the finches to breed.

    Nests and Nesting Material

    • Most gouldian finch breeders offer their birds wooden nest boxes, though Singing Wings Aviary in London, Arkansas says its birds prefer gourds to boxes or baskets. Finches need safe nesting materials such as pesticide-free grass, cotton and twigs rather than string, which can get tangled around feet and legs.

    Incubation, Hatching and Weaning

    • Gouldian finches lay a clutch of four to five eggs before they sit. After about a week of incubation the color of the white eggs will change to pink for fertile eggs and yellow for infertile eggs. Incubation is approximately 15 days. The babies leave the nest after about 21 days and become independent from their parents at seven or eight weeks old.