Hey! My name is Goldie and I am the most alluring Gouldian Finch one could ever lay eyes on. My scarlet and jet-black-faced peers look at me in envy and admiration. They get stunned when they notice my Gold coloured head, mauve-coloured breast, amber-coloured stomach, lime-coloured back and finally my azure-coloured tail. I am definitely one of the most jaw-dropping creations of this world.
But, because of a variety of reasons, I am now the last gold-headed Gouldian Finch. Creatures around me have left no stone unturned to make my life miserable. I still remember the time when I had finches I could rely on. Now because of innumerable grim events, I have to trust birds I barely know. Before I get started on these appalling times let me tell you a bit about myself.
As many would know I’m the rare Gouldian Finch. Adult species of my kind are split into three sections: about 70-80% of my species have jet black faces; 20-30% have scarlet faces and then finally 1 in 3000 of these finches are gold-faced. A startling fact is that now there are only 2500 of Gouldian Finches left in the world. That makes me the only gold-faced bird left. Boy, Ain’t I unique!
My childhood
Now if you’re wondering whether I’m male or female my response is male. Of course I’m male because if I were to be female I wouldn’t have looked so stunning. Male Finches like myself are much brighter in colour.
My earliest memories go back to my parents. My mother would tell me the exciting tale of my birth, how my dad would come everyday to her and do a dance to impress her. I would ask her if she was impressed, and she said, “Yes!”
My dad would tell me how I had unique markings around my mouth when I was born and how people called me “Rainbow Bird”.
I love being a Gouldian Finch. But my eyes go wet when I think of the time I left my family when I was forty days old.
That was the time I had left Northern Australia and made my way towards Western Australia along with a huge flock of youngsters like myself.
The bushfires of 2020
Another distinct memory that I have is of the year 2020. The month was January and the forests of Australia were blazing!
Scarlet and I were flying around to find some grass-seeds to feed our flock. As I flew with Scarlet over the huge orange flames, she shouted, “There’s no more grass seeds left”
“What!” I shouted back.
But I didn’t get an answer. And, when I looked back, I was horrified to see the orange flames swallow Scarlet in one gulp.
After this incident, our flock kind of disappeared for several days. It was only in the month of March, after the fires had subsided, that I spotted a few of my kind. Many finches had died due to starvation. Others had been consumed by the raging fires along with their nests in the tree hollows and a few had died due to loneliness.
Did you know that we are such social birds that when we are alone it is impossible for us to survive?
Other threats
Last year we saw another drastic decline in our flock. Many of us were captured for the aviary trade. We faced severe threats due to being popular as ‘caged pets’ and we encountered numerous hawks, snakes and cats.
I am already 7 years old and I am glad that I’m still alive.
The truth I must face everyday is that generally Gouldian Finches live to around 5 years of age yet I have somehow survived. I have been lucky to have been in a very supportive flock. But alas! I am almost counting my last days now. My colours that were all vibrant once are now dull and faded. I am thankful that I have a lot of children who take good care of me.
I have seen humans trying to take some progressive steps in protecting our species. It was comforting to notice that our flock looked much healthier and larger when we sat down near Silica Beach in Western Australia last week.
As I pen down these last words, I do hope that our beautiful species will live for a long time in this enchanting continent that we call ‘Home’.
Signing Off,
Goldie
Writer : Aarna Sharma
Grade : 6 (Year 2023)
Place : Sydney, Australia
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