Distribution and Habitat
These birds are found in northern Australia, from the Cape York Peninsula through north-west Queensland and the northern Northern Territory to the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Their habitat is tropical savanna woodlands. The birds are nomadic within a relatively small area (approximately 40 square kilometers) and only move when water or food becomes scarce. The largest known wild population of the species is found in the Bastion Hills, next to the town of Wyndham in the eastern Kimberley, where a 28 km2 site – the Wyndham Important Bird Area – has been identified by BirdLife International.
Prior to the Australian government's ban on the export of Australian fauna in 1959, Gouldian Finches were exported worldwide. These birds have resulted in viable breeding populations being held in many countries.
Captive breeding has resulted in a number of colour mutations being established. These include blue-back, pastel, silver, yellow-back, white-breasted, and even pure white specimens.
Read more about this topic: Gouldian Finch
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