Gouldian Finch

Erythrura gouldiae or Chloebia gouldiae

"Worst Choice" Pet Worst Choice

The Gouldian Finch (also known as the Lady Gouldian Finch, Gould's Finch or Rainbow Finch) is a small, colorful songbird that is native to Northern Australia. The Gouldian Finch prefers open, tropical woodlands and nests in tree hollows. Due primarily to their exquisite coloring, Gouldian Finches are popular pets for aviaries. They have an average lifespan of about 6 years.

Did You Know?

The Gouldian Finch is native to Northern Australia.

Source Sustainability Fair Choice

Does the harvest for wildlife trade or captive breeding of this species harm wild populations?

Some Cause for Concern

The Gouldian Finch is listed as an endangered species in Australia. Large numbers were harvested for the local and international pet trade and the species is now locally extinct in many areas where it once thrived. Capture for the pet trade was banned in 1981, but wild populations of Gouldian Finches are continuing to decline. Habitat loss, parasite infection, and lack of food are considered the main threats, but there is still some illegal trapping of wild individuals.

Gouldian Finches are difficult to breed outside of their warm native climate, but there are successful captive breeding facilities in Australia and the southern United States. Gouldian Finches remain in high demand as cage birds and it is legal to breed and keep them in captivity in the U.S.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the Gouldian Finch as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

Invasion Threat Unable to Rank Choice

Does the release or escape of this species into the wild harm the environment and/or economy?

Unable to Rank

PetWatch found no evidence that Gouldian Finches have established wild populations outside their native range.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the Gouldian Finch as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

Animal Welfare Worst Choice

Does harvest, captive breeding, transport, or being kept as a pet harm individual animals?

Significant Cause for Concern

Gouldian Finches are difficult to keep in captivity. They need warm air temperatures (70º–77ºC) and cannot tolerate sudden or dramatic temperature changes. Thus, in most of the United States, they need to be housed in indoor aviaries.

Captive Gouldian Finches are also highly susceptible to diseases and parasites. They are particularly vulnerable to fatal respiratory infections from air sac mites.

Some experts believe this high susceptibility to disease indicates that Gouldian Finches are severely stressed by captivity.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the Gouldian Finch as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

Health Threat Fair Choice

Does this animal pose a health risk to native wildlife, humans, livestock and agriculture?

Some Cause for Concern

Gouldian Finches are known to host a number of parasites that can infect humans, including tapeworms and the intracellular parasite, Encephalitozoon hellem.

Additionally, Gouldian Finches can be carriers of diseases, such as: Salmonellosis, Cryptosporidiosis, Paramyxovirus (PMV), and herpes virus, that are harmful to humans and/or other avian species.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the Gouldian Finch as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

EcoHealth Alliance works at the intersection of ecosystem, animal and human health through local conservation programs and develops global health solutions to emerging diseases.
More about EcoHealth Alliance