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In that year's finch trapping season, of the 23,450 finches taken 1,054 were Gouldian. The last licensed trapping of Gouldian finch in Western Australia was on 15 November 1981. The number of finches taken in the 1958 finch trapping season was the largest for one year, of the 38,649 finches taken, 11,286 were Gouldian. Private dealers exported 35,315 finches, of which 14,504 were Gouldian. The Perth Zoo exported 22,064 finches of which 12,509 were Gouldian. Between the years 19, the Gouldian finch was the most exported single finch species. From 1897, when finch trapping started in the Kimberley, it was the most sought after finch by trappers and the most desired by fanciers. Until 1977, it was trapped in greater numbers than any other finch. In the Kimberley District of Western Australia, where most wild Gouldian finch were trapped for aviculture, it was often reported as one of the more common of the eleven finch species. Gouldian finches get along well with other species of grass finch and some other docile species of bird, such as waxbills and parrot finches. Gouldian finches are a popular species in aviculture because of their striking colors and low care requirements. This is one of the first proven instances of birds biasing the sex of their offspring to overcome genetic weaknesses. If the female mates with a finch of different head colour, this genetic incompatibility can be addressed by over-producing sons, up to a ratio of four males to one female. A certain amount of genetic incompatibility between black and red-headed birds can result in high mortality (up to 80%) in female offspring when birds of different head colours mate. It has been shown that female Gouldian finches from Northern Australia can control the sex of their offspring by choosing mates according to their head color. Gouldian finches have brightly coloured gapes and call loudly when the parent birds return so that they are able to find and feed their mouths in the dark nest. Gouldian finches leave the nest after between 19 and 23 days and are completely independent at 40 days old. When the eggs hatch, both parents care for the young. Both parents help brood the eggs during the daytime, and it is the female who stays on the eggs at night.

After mating, the female will lay a clutch of about 4–8 eggs. He will expand his chest and fluff out the feathers on his forehead. When a male is courting a female, he bobs about and ruffles his feathers in an attempt to show off his bright colors. They usually breed in the early part of the dry season, when there is plenty of food around. Gouldian finches will usually make their nests in tree-holes. In the dry season, they are much more nomadic and will move to wherever their food and water can be found.

During the breeding season, they are normally found on rough scree slopes where vegetation is sparse. Flocks can consist of up to 1,000–2,000 individuals. Outside the breeding season, Gouldian finches often join mixed flocks consisting of long-tailed finches and masked finches. Fires are listed as the primary threat to the natural populations. Their beautiful colours mean that they are easily caught by predators. In general, Gouldian finches are susceptible to diseases and viral infections. This is no longer considered to be a major factor. Early research indicated a parasite called the air sac mite was responsible for the decline of the species. Their habitat has been reduced or altered. The number of Gouldian finches has decreased quite dramatically during the 20th century. There is also a lutino and albino mutation in the United States, established by Winnie McAlpin of Delmar Aviaries. The most common body mutations in the United States are blue, pastel green (single and double-factor, resulting in "dilute" and yellow males and yellow females), and pastel blue (again, single and double-factor producing "pastel" and silver males, and silver hens). Mutations vary by country, with some existing only in Australia (the Australian yellow and the Australian "dilute") and others existing in greater number in the United States, such as the blue bodied Gouldian.

These birds have resulted in viable breeding populations being held in many countries.Ĭaptive breeding has resulted in several colour mutations. Prior to the Australian government's ban on the export of Australian fauna, Gouldian finches were exported worldwide. A young Gouldian finch with the beginnings of bright adult plumage