Other parts of their body also have many colors, typically with green back, black tail, yellow belly and purple chest. The male birds are brighter in color compared to their female counterparts. One distinguishing feature between the two genders is that the color on the male’s chest is purple, while it’s lighter mauve on the female’s.
The Gouldian finches usually build their nests in tree holes. Their breeding season matches the beginning of the dry season when the food sources are abundant. When they mate, the male birds will start courting the female, showing his gorgeous colorful feathers in a set of dances. Normally, bright colors are evidence of good health.
After mating, the female will lay a clutch of about 4-8 eggs and then brood them. Both parents will take turn to brood in the daytime, but when the night falls, the female will stay on those eggs. When the eggs hatch, both parents take care of the chicks.
Maybe you do not know that rainbow finches from Northern Australia can somehow control the gender of their youngs. The incompatibility in the gene sequences of the black and red-headed bird results in a high mortality rate of their female offspring (up to 80%).
The female bird found a way to overcome this issue by over-producing sons, the ratio can be as high as four males to one female. This incredible little bird is the first proven instance of biasing the gender of their youngs to tackle genetic weaknesses.
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