Delmar Gouldian Finches

USA Lutino Gouldian Finch

Le Maistre Gouldians

USA GOULDIAN HISTORY PHOTOS 1955-2014

(By Winnie McAlpin)

A keen interest in the international history of the Gouldian Finch has resulted in the collection of data, photos and articles since 1996. During 2004 to 2005, I wrote several long time USA breeders to get historical details to share with David Myers, who was one the authors of THE GOULDIAN FINCH. This book was published by Stewart Evans and Mike Fidler in April 2005. We were presented with a signed copy of this highly recommended book.

In 2005, while collecting historical data, I attempted to find the breeder who had bred USA Gouldians for the longest period of time. The following are quotes from an email dated 2.4.05 from Ladd Chase in Utah:

"I started raising birds when I was eight years old, and that was parakeets, then zebra finches, and cockatiels, etc. In about 1958, when I was about 12 years old, I saw an ad in American Cage Bird Magazine for gouldians. I was in Utah and they were in Illinois and I seem to remember that the guy's name was Ray Allen, but I could be wrong, as that's a long time ago. Anyway they were $18.00 per pair plus shipping."

"That does seem cheap now, but I was a clean-up boy in a bakery making 60 cent an hour at that time. I do remember for sure that the price was $18.00 per pair, but can't remember if I got both red and black heads. I know I got red heads and I know I didn't get any black head cocks. They were probably all red heads."

On 3.4.10, Ladd Chase sent copies of old articles and photos from magazines. Congratulations to Ladd for his successful breeding of the Gouldian Finch. Our thanks and appreciation to Ladd for sharing his photos.