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Finch Facts
Finches are small companion birds that can be an absolute
delight to have around. They are a pleasure to watch and
their soft chirping is said by many to have a soothing, relaxing
quality.
Origin
Finches originated in Australia & Africa. There are several
dozen species. The Gouldian finch and the Zebra finch are
among the most popular for pets.
Characteristics,
temperament, & pet
quality
Finches are small, quiet, easily kept birds that are best
maintained in pairs or groups with other finches. Most
do not like to be held or handled by people.
Wicker nest baskets or box nests may be offered until the
first young are raised, at which point many authorities recommend
that the hen be rested by removing the nest. Clean, dried,
grass is probably the best nesting material. Cotton and textiles
are best avoided as nesting materials because the small threads
can become wound around toes and cause dry gangrene.
Finches tend to be high strung and short lived. As a group
they sometimes seem to take ill and die very easily. The
maximum recorded life span for a zebra finch is 17 years,
although 5 years is a more typical life span.
Finches are good candidates for a novice bird owner wanting
to learn more about aviculture. They are sometimes recommended
for office settings where a pleasant ambiance is desired.
Nutrition
Traditionally, finches have been maintained on a diet consisting
of cuttlebone or oyster shell, along with millet and access
to a seed/pellet mix. Many authorities now suggest a more
pellet based diet consisting of 80% commercial bird pellets,
plus 20% fruits vegetables, and seeds. <more>
Access to fresh, clean water should be available at all
times.
Seed eating birds are often deficeint in lysine and methionine,
so a vitamin and amino acid supplement is recommended for
all birds that are not on a mostly pelleted diet. Hagen
PRIME Supplement for Birds is a good example. It contains vitamins,
minerals and probiotics.
Additional high quality protein, in the form of a chopped,
hard boiled egg, for example, may be required for moulting
birds or hens rearing young. Finally, it is said that some
finches may also need baby mealworms, for even more protein,
in order to successfully raise young.
Housing
In general, the bigger the better! The best enclosures for
finches are as wide, or wider, than they are tall. These
are sometimes called “flight cages.”
Full spectrum lighting will display a group of finches to
their best advantage, as well as improve their general health.
The best perches are all natural: irregular, small tree
branches. Oak, willow, birch, alder, and apple tree branches
are said to be especially good choices. They often seem especially
attractive if the bark is left on. Note that they will probably
need to be replaced frequently.
Finally, many finches seem to enjoy access to fresh, clean
water in a small bird bath attached to the inside of the
enclosure.
Common
diseases and syndromes
- Air sac mites (Gouldians, esp.)
- Tapeworms (wild,
wild caught finches)
- Trichomoniasis
- Egg binding
- Various bBacterial infections
(finches are particularly susceptible)
- Lymphocytosis
- Foreign body constrictive toe necrosis
- Dry gangrene of extremities
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