The trade-off for this advantageous characteristic is a shorter life-span and decreased parental investment red-headed males are less helpful in raising young because they spend more time fighting. Interestingly, head color is the most important indicator of all and isВ linkedВ closely to behavior: Red-headed finches are the most competitive and aggressive of all the morphs, usually winning access to the best nesting sites-hollows in eucalyptus trees-and food sources. Birds that have the richest diets tend to have more vibrant plumage and will therefore be more attractive to potential mates.

The brightness of a birdвЂ™s coloration can provide a powerful visual indication of its fitness, and in particular, its ability to obtain food. Male and female Gouldian finches share the same distribution of colors but males are, as is common in the animal kingdom, brighter than females. The birds areВ still widely traded in that community, but captive populations now differ from the wild ones, having been bred for several non-natural color mutations.Д¬oloration provides a tremendous amount of information within a Gouldian finch population and plays an important role in mate selection and reproductive success. In addition, thousands of wild Gouldian finches were captured during the early 20 th century and sold to aviculture enthusiasts worldwide. Recent studies have identified several factors that may have contributed to their place on that list, including cattle grazing, invasive species (both flora and fauna), and increased prevalence of wildfires. Gouldian finches were once found in large numbers across northern Australia, spanning the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and Queensland regions, but now the largest population is found in the Kimberley, a sparsely populated area of Western Australia.В There are fewer than 3,000 finches remaining in the wild, which puts them on the worldвЂ™s growing list of endangered species. Color is simply the observable surface of evolutionary, genetic, and behavioral forces at work. In Gouldian finches, scientists have found that color morphs are linked to distinct behavioral characteristics, mate selection, and reproductive success, so the variations are clearly more than coincidence or luck of the genetic draw. In birds, however, consistent coloration is far more often the norm. Polymorphism, which occurs when genetic variation results in two or more вЂњmorphsвЂќ within a species, is not uncommon in nature. In wild populations, there are three possible head color variations, or вЂњmorphsвЂќ-black, yellow, and red-and how and why each bird sports a particular hue is open to plenty of debate and research. But perhaps the most interesting, and definitely the most telling, characteristic of this species is its head color. This passerine, native to northern Australia, averages just six inches long, but can count itself among the most colorful birds around, with its brilliant and distinctive blocked pattern: green wings, bright purple chest, yellow belly, and turquoise headband. The importance of suitable housing and diet, decreasing environmental stressors, and optimizing hygiene is also stressed.For such a small bird, the Gouldian finch ( Eryhrura gouldiae) inspires a hugeВ number of questions. The presence of many diseases such as mycobacteriosis, cryptosporidiosis, microsporidiosis, and avian gastric yeast which are commonly considered as secondary pathogens is discussed. A range of viral, bacterial, mycotic, protozoal, helminthic, and arthropodal agents and metabolic disorders have been identified and implicated as contributing to the illness and death of many Gouldian Finches. In captivity, despite its popularity, it has the reputation of being delicate and susceptible to many diseases.

Infection with the parasitic mite, Sternostoma tracheacolum, is thought to be of secondary importance. Excessive cattle grazing and altered fire regimes are thought to be key factors in this decline. Despite its secure captive status, this species is suffering from a serious decline in numbers in its native habitat in Northern Australia. Its popularity has resulted in it being almost domesticated with many color mutations having been established around the world. The Gouldian Finch ( Erythrura gouldiae) is a very popularly kept passerine species within aviculture.