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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Estrildidae
  4. ›
  5. Chloebia
  6. ›
  7. Gouldian Finch
Gouldian Finch
Photo · (c) Kym Nicolson, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Gouldian Finch

Chloebia gouldiae(Gould, 1844)

Updated 21 March 2026

Conservation status: EndangeredOrigin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Estrildidae
Genus
Chloebia

At a glance

The Gouldian Finch is a tiny bird, about 12–13 cm long, listed as Endangered and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
12–13 cm
Conservation status
Endangered
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Rare
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Gouldian Finch look like?

The Gouldian Finch is a tiny bird, about 12–13 cm long and weighing 8–20 g.

The Gouldian finch, also known as the Gould's finch or the rainbow finch, is a colourful passerine bird that is native to Australia.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
12–13 cm
Weight
7.5–20 g
Wingspan
20 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Gouldian Finch?

The Gouldian Finch is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Gouldian Finch eat?

The Gouldian Finch feeds on seeds, usually foraging in pairs or flocks or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

4 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Gouldian Finch live in Australia?

The Gouldian Finch is endemic to Australia, recorded across 29 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingNorth WA to north-east QLD (north Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Non-breeding
  • Vagrant
  • Resident

8 regions recorded