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Aviculture Articles

Gouldian finches are among the most popular birds to be kept and bred by both amateurs and professionals throughout the world. On this page we have provided some helpful articles and up-to-date information from prominent aviculturists to keep both you and your birds happy.

Please check back regularly as this page with will be constantly updated with new articles.

	Fostering: To be or not to be? Mike Fidler Fostering rare or difficult-to-breed finches to nests of other less fussy birds (such as the man-made Bengalese finch) is becoming more popular. In this article, Mike discusses the ethics and long-terms effects of fostering on juveniles, and provides a balanced list of pros and cons, along with advice on how and when to foster. To read the full article, click here
	Update: Some lesser known aspects of nutrition Mike Fidler This is an update and summary to an earlier article (see below) about the lesser known aspects of nutrition. This will allow you to get the best out of your Gouldians and to understand the importance of what you feed. To read the full article, click here
	Disappearing birds Mike Fidler Russell Kingston visited the other weekend, so I took the opportunity of locking him in his bedroom until he came up with a definitive list of finches that had been lost to Australian aviculture over this last 20 years or so. By the time we let him out, approximately two days later, he had come up with a frightening list of 41 species! To read the full article, click here
	Aviculture's contribution to conservation Mike Fidler What contribution does aviculture make to conservation? Have a read at the number of ways that aviculture can and does make a difference. To read the full article, click here
	Gouldian life-cycle calendar Mike Fidler In this article, Mike describes the annual life-cycle of Gouldian finches in the wild, and how you too can create a similiar cycle with your birds. The life cycle of all Estrildidae is controlled by diet and not by daylight length. The Gouldian as an example breeds in the Australian winter when day length is at its shortest but food, following the wet season, is at its most abundant. Hence you may manipulate your Gouldian life cycle calendar by manipulating diet. To read the full article, click here
	Fiery redheads rule the roost Sarah Pryke In this first scientific-avicultural report, Sarah explores some of the recent scientific findings on differences in dominance behaviour and physiology between the three genetic head colour forms (morphs). Not only does understanding how individuals compete for access to limited nest sites and food help us to understand the dynamics in wild populations, but as you will see, understanding dominance is also crucial for effectively housing and breeding Gouldian finches in aviaries. To read the full article (PDF), click here
	Establishing a new mutation Mike Fidler Ever had a mutation turn up in your birds, which you would like to establish? It's an involved and often long process, but the rewards can be very worthwhile. This article takes a look at what is involved, how new mutations are maintained (rather than simply being eliminated as they are often in the wild) and the exact techniques involved. To read the full article, click here
	Fostering finches Mike Fidler Fostering rare or difficult-to-breed finches to nests of other less fussy birds (such as the man-made Bengalese finch) is becoming more popular. In this article, Mike discusses the ethics and long-terms effects of fostering on juveniles, and provides a balanced list of pros and cons, along with advice on how and when to foster. To read the full article, click here
	Some lesser known aspects of nutrition Mike Fidler This article will give you a crash-course about the lesser known aspects of nutrition. There has been embarrassingly little research done on finch nutrition in general (which the scientists are currently tackling in Gouldian finches), but there are a number of simple 'rules' which will allow you to get the best out of your Gouldians and to understand the importance of what you feed. To read the full article, click here
	In a bind over egg binding? Mike Fidler Have problems with egg binding? Mike explains everything about egg binding - what it is, why it occurs and how you can prevent it. This article provides a step by step guide of preventions, including how to keep females warm during breeding and the importance of nutrition (especially the ratio of calcium to phosphorus) in preventing egg binding. To read the full article, click here
	Gouldian Finch (Erythrura gouldiae) Doug Hill & Marcus Pollard In this article, Doug and Marcus explain everything you need to know about owning, buying and caring for Gouldian finches. This includes what to look for when purchasing your birds, how to set-up the cages, how to feed and effectively bred your birds and also common problems faced by Gouldian breeders. This is a great article for anybody (beginner and expert) who keeps Gouldians. To read the full article, click here

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