Finches are small songbirds that are popular as pet birds. Some of the most common finch species kept as pets include zebra finches, society finches, Gouldian finches, owl finches, and waxbills. Finches have lively personalities and beautiful plumage that makes them attractive pets for bird enthusiasts. However, there are some important factors to consider before getting a finch as a pet. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of keeping finches as pets.
Pros of Keeping Finches as Pets
Here are some of the potential benefits of having finches as pets:
- Small size – Most finch species are quite small, usually between 3 to 6 inches in length. This makes them suitable for apartments or homes with limited space.
- Beautiful appearance – Finches come in a dazzling array of colors and plumage varieties. Watching their bright, lively antics can be very enjoyable.
- Pleasant birdsong – Male finches sing melodious songs to attract mates and communicate. Their chirping birdsong can be quite pleasant to listen to.
- Low maintenance – Compared to larger parrot species, most finches have relatively simple care requirements. Basic needs like food, water, perches and a clean cage are easy to provide.
- Peaceful temperament – Finches tend to be mild-mannered birds. They can be kept together in small flocks, getting along with minimal squabbling.
- Inexpensive – Common finch species like zebra finches are quite affordable to purchase. Their basic care costs are low compared to larger, more demanding birds.
- Fun to breed – Watching finches build nests, lay eggs and raise babies can be an enjoyable learning experience, especially for children.
Cons of Keeping Finches as Pets
However, there are also some potential downsides to keeping finches as pets:
- Fragile birds – Finches have small, lightweight bodies with delicate bones. They can be easily injured if handled improperly.
- Fast flight – Their strong, rapid flight makes them difficult to recapture if they escape from their cage.
- Special diet – Finches have specialized feeding needs centered around small seeds. This requires providing the right seed mixtures.
- Social birds – Finches are highly social and do poorly if kept alone. They need to be kept in pairs or groups, which increases their care requirements.
- Regular cage cleaning – Their small size means finches have small droppings. But they still produce a lot of waste, necessitating frequent cage cleaning.
- Specialized veterinary care – Avian veterinarians with finch experience are essential for providing proper medical care but not always readily accessible.
- Potential legal issues – Some finch species may be covered by international wildlife trade laws or require permits.
Finch Species Commonly Kept as Pets
If you decide to get finches as pets, you’ll need to select a suitable species. Here are some of the finches most commonly kept as pets:
Zebra Finch
The zebra finch is easily the most popular finch pet. They have gray and black “zebra stripes” on their bodies, with bright orange cheeks and beaks. Peaceful and active, they breed very readily in captivity. Zebra finches do well in small flocks and can be kept in typical bird cages.
Society Finch
Society finches have plumage available in many color varieties, including yellow, white, orange and black. They also have a pleasant warbling song. Like zebra finches, they are easy-going when housed with other finches but require similarly sized cages and seed diets.
Gouldian Finch
One of the most brightly colored finches, Gouldians have striking feathers in tones of green, blue, red, yellow, orange and purple. They are slightly larger than other finch species. Gouldians can be challenging to care for and are best suited for experienced finch keepers.
Owl Finch
As their name suggests, owl finches have large, round heads with flat faces that resemble an owl. Their stout bodies also stand out from other finches. They come in several colorations and are outgoing, active little birds when housed in social groups.
Waxbill Finches
Waxbills encompass a large group of African finch species popular as pets. Some examples are the common, violet-eared, black-rumped and black-cheeked waxbills. Their petite size and vibrant flocks bring energy and animation to any aviary or cage habitat.
Housing Requirements for Pet Finches
Proper housing is essential to keeping finches healthy and content in captivity. Here are some key finch cage and enclosure requirements:
- Ample space – Provide plenty of horizontal flight space as minimum dimensions. For example, zebra finches need cages at least 20 inches wide by 12 inches deep.
- Bar spacing – The bars or mesh should have spacing no wider than 1/2 to 3/4 inches to prevent escapes.
- Proper materials – Sturdy metal cages with powder-coated finishes are ideal. Avoid lead, zinc or toxic metals.
- Access doors – Large doors make servicing the enclosure and capturing birds much easier. Have multiple access doors if possible.
- Perches – Include several perches made from clean, non-toxic tree branches trimmed to fit the cage.
- Feeders and waterers – Use bowls or containers designed to attach securely inside the cage.
- Nest boxes – Breeding finches need enclosed nest boxes with entry holes attached inside the cage.
- Enrichment – Natural branches, swings, mirrors and baths provide behavioral enrichment.
Proper Feeding for Pet Finches
Finches require specialized seed-based diets with minimal treats. Here are some basics of finch nutrition:
- Fortified finch seed – This commercial mix has millet, oats, sunflower seeds and more tailored for finches.
- Daily greens – Supplement seed with washed greens like spinach, kale or dandelion leaves.
- Grit – Provide oyster shell grit in a separate dish to aid digestion.
- Cuttlebone – This gives finches calcium and mineral intake.
- Treats – Offer millet spray, greens, bits of hard boiled egg yolk or fruit very sparingly.
- No avocado, alcohol or chocolate – These can be toxic to birds.
- Clean, fresh water daily.
Finch Health and Potential Medical Issues
Finches are relatively hardy birds, but they can still develop certain health problems. Being aware of these helps bird owners identify issues early on:
- Respiratory infections – Finch ‘colds’ usually cause discharge from eyes and nose.
- Parasites – Mites and lice can infest finches and must be eliminated.
- Diarrhea – Diet change or internal bacterial imbalance often causes loose droppings.
- Feather cysts or plucking – Stress and poor diet contributes to this.
- Egg binding – Difficulty laying eggs, often fatal if untreated.
- Cancerous growths – Older finches can develop internal or external tumors.
- Injury – Broken wings or legs from hitting cage walls or fallling.
Seek qualified avian veterinarian care promptly if any illness or injury occurs. Many health problems can be effectively treated if addressed in time.
Tips for Keeping Finches
Here are a few helpful tips for keeping finches happy and healthy as pets:
- House compatible finches together like zebra finches or society finches.
- Do not mix finch species that may fight or compete in the same cage.
- Clean the cage thoroughly each week by replacing soiled substrate.
- Wash food and water containers daily with soap and disinfect weekly.
- Slowly transition to new foods by mixing with their regular diet.
- Clip a small wing feather on one wing to prevent escapees.
- Talk, sing or play music to engage their auditory senses.
- Let finches fly outside the cage supervised for exercise.
- Monitor pairs with chicks closely and remove any dead babies promptly.
Are Finches a Good Pet Choice for You?
Here are some final considerations in deciding if finches could be the right pet bird for you:
- Finches are best for bird lovers who desire an active, colorful flock of songbirds.
- They are not cuddly companion pets for bonding with individuals like parrots.
- Finches are good starter birds for those new to pet bird care and ownership.
- Children can learn responsibility helping care for finches with supervision.
- Those with busy schedules may struggle to provide the frequent cage cleaning finches require.
- Be sure you can access a specialized avian vet before committing to finches long-term.
- Research specific finch species thoroughly and choose birds suited for your climate.
- Always prioritize acquiring captive bred finches from reputable breeders or bird shops.
Conclusion
Finches offer many positives as starter pet birds – they are affordable, pleasant to watch, and easier to care for than parrots. But their small size does require conscientious ownership to keep them healthy and safe. Be sure you have the time, resources and access to avian veterinary services before bringing finches home. If their needs fit your lifestyle and desires for a pet bird, finches can make lively, engaging additions to your family!