SummaryA capture-recapture study of Gouldian FinchErythrura gouldiae, Masked FinchPoephila personataand Long-tailed FinchP. acuticaudaat two sites in the Northern Territory (extending over 22–24 months) showed a disappearance of banded Gouldian Finches from populations at both study sites. The lack of recaptures of banded Gouldian Finches is due either to much higher mortality or to greater rates of emigration, or to both, relative to Masked and Long-tailed Finches. Some evidence is presented for each explanation but the data do not adequately discriminate the alternatives (or define the relative contributions of both).