Gouldian Finch (male red-head)
Color of Life note Sexual Selection
Sexual dichromatism is a form of sexual dimorphism in which males and females differ in color.
The male Gouldian finch is more brightly colors to impress prospective female partners.
California Academy of Sciences Docent Rainforest Training Manual 2015.
TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes (toes, three pointing forward and one back, which facilitates perching).
Family: Estrildidae (weaver-finches)
Genus/species: Erythrura gouldiae
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The upper body (dorsal) is grass-green from the lower nape to the back and wings. The rump is pale blue and the breast is purple. Ventrally the belly is bright yellow, and the bill is whitish, with a red or yellow tip.
The three distinct color variations are individuals having either a red, black or yellow head (all the same species
Young Gouldian Finches are dull ashy grey on the head and hind neck, becoming olive on the back and tail. The underparts are brown white, paler on chin, and have a faint yellow tinge on the belly. The upper bill is blackish and the lower bill is pinkish. white. Adult colors appear after several months.
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Predominantly northern Australia tropical savannah woodland with grassy understorey and open wide plains with hollow-bearing Eucalyptus trees.
DIET IN THE WILD: Grass seeds. In addition they feed on a variety of insects including beetles, termites, flies, flying ants, and spiders.
REPRODUCTION: E. gouldiae nest in tree hollows. Males and females incubate the eggs and help to raise the young. Gouldian finches may produce both the adults incubate the eggs and help to raise the young. Gouldian finches may produce four to eight eggs per clutch.
CONSERVATION: IUCN Near Threatened (NT) by habitat modification due to cattle grazing, wildfires and increasing human developments. There are presently estimated to be only 2,500 to 10,000 mature individuals in the wild.
References
Ron's Wordpress shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-1y1
California Academy of Sciences Color of Life 2017
ARKive www.arkive.org/gouldian-finch/erythrura-gouldiae/
Birdlife International www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=8695
IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/biblio/22719744/0
Encyclopedia of Life eol.org/pages/1050437/details
7-20-17
Gouldian Finch (male red-head)
Color of Life note Sexual Selection
Sexual dichromatism is a form of sexual dimorphism in which males and females differ in color.
The male Gouldian finch is more brightly colors to impress prospective female partners.
California Academy of Sciences Docent Rainforest Training Manual 2015.
TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes (toes, three pointing forward and one back, which facilitates perching).
Family: Estrildidae (weaver-finches)
Genus/species: Erythrura gouldiae
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The upper body (dorsal) is grass-green from the lower nape to the back and wings. The rump is pale blue and the breast is purple. Ventrally the belly is bright yellow, and the bill is whitish, with a red or yellow tip.
The three distinct color variations are individuals having either a red, black or yellow head (all the same species
Young Gouldian Finches are dull ashy grey on the head and hind neck, becoming olive on the back and tail. The underparts are brown white, paler on chin, and have a faint yellow tinge on the belly. The upper bill is blackish and the lower bill is pinkish. white. Adult colors appear after several months.
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Predominantly northern Australia tropical savannah woodland with grassy understorey and open wide plains with hollow-bearing Eucalyptus trees.
DIET IN THE WILD: Grass seeds. In addition they feed on a variety of insects including beetles, termites, flies, flying ants, and spiders.
REPRODUCTION: E. gouldiae nest in tree hollows. Males and females incubate the eggs and help to raise the young. Gouldian finches may produce both the adults incubate the eggs and help to raise the young. Gouldian finches may produce four to eight eggs per clutch.
CONSERVATION: IUCN Near Threatened (NT) by habitat modification due to cattle grazing, wildfires and increasing human developments. There are presently estimated to be only 2,500 to 10,000 mature individuals in the wild.
References
Ron's Wordpress shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-1y1
California Academy of Sciences Color of Life 2017
ARKive www.arkive.org/gouldian-finch/erythrura-gouldiae/
Birdlife International www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=8695
IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/biblio/22719744/0
Encyclopedia of Life eol.org/pages/1050437/details
7-20-17