An Endangered Bird, Popular in Captivity
The Gouldian Finch, Erythrura gouldiae (or Chloebia gouldiae), identified as the Lady Gouldian Finch, Gould’s Finch or Rainbow Finch , is a colorful passerine bird native to Australia. There is strong evidence of a continuing decline, even at the best-recognized place near Katherine in the Northern Territory. It is bred in captivity, but in 1992 it was classified as an endangered species. This was due to the fact that a: the viable population size was estimated to be less than twenty five hundred matured individuals and 2: no permanent sub population was known to hold more than two hundred and fifty adult animals and finally c: that a continuing decline was observed in the number of matured birds. It is presently subject to a preservation program.
The Gouldian Finch was described by British ornithological artist John Gould in 1844 and named after his wife Elizabeth. It is also recognized in its native country as the Rainbow, Gould, or Lady Gouldian Finch (although Mrs. Gould did not hold the title Lady). It is a member of the weaver-finch family Estrildidae, which is sometimes considered a subfamily of Passeridae.
Exported to Europe, the United States and Japan has furnished this bird with a number of color variations such as the blue back, pastel, silver, yellow back and even white.
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