Gouldian Finch

The Gouldian Finch is a beautiful bird because its plumage is very colorful with a sophisticated pattern. Along with the Okinawa rail, it is included in the list of endangered species because of a lot of reasons. Some of the main reasons for the decline of number of this bird is the loss of habitat due to the fire created by humans to create farmlands, the loss of food source and their capture as pets. It is included in the list of endangered species because of the modification of its habitat. If the numbers of this species will stop declining, then it will be taken out from the list of endangered species and be placed in the vulnerable species list. These birds are usually found in Australia.

Physical Appearance

The Gouldian Finch can reach up to 12.5 cm. It has a black pointed tail; it has a green upper body, with a throat that has a red or orange color. It has a purple colored breast, a yellow colored belly and it has a white bill with red tip. Truly, this bird can get very colorful. This is also the main reason why people capture this bird as pet. These birds go to waterholes to drink during the dry seasons.

Threats

• Cattle are grazing grasslands. With this, the birds lose their main source of food. Other animals can also corrupt the water whole where these birds gather to drink.

• Altered fire regimes not only destroy the habitats of these birds, but also their sources of food. During food scarcity, the gouldian finch finds it hard to look for their food because of the altered fire regimes.

• Trapping is also another reason for the declining number of the gouldian finch. They are trapped to be sold to people who want to have this bird as a pet.

• Parasitic mite infection is also one of the main reason why this bird is included in the list of endangered species.

• Climate change also disrupts the seasons in the habitat of these birds. They become confused when the timing of the rainfall and the dry season is not the same as usual anymore. This is also a threat to these birds.

Fortunately, there have been a lot of wildlife organizations in the world that are making movements to protect and conserve these birds. They are monitoring the major places where these birds can be found and they implement conservational and protective measures for these birds.