Finches are so easy to care for, and make such great pets, there is no question why these small, active birds are so popular. Whether you have children, other pets, or live in an apartment, Finches can be a wonderful addition to your family.
Popular varieties of Finches include the Gouldian Finch, The Society Finch and the Zebra Finch. Indeed, Finches come in a large variety of patterns, colors and personalities. Finches tend to be very social, and are easy to house in a spacious cage with other Finches, and other hardbills. It is important to note, however, that the larger species can become aggressive to smaller ones. For that reason, it is not recommended to combine Finches with lovebirds, parakeets, or any hookbills and types of birds that tend to be naturally more aggressive. CAre should be taken, as well to not overcrowd these birds. They require a large enough cage, or you may have problems with feather picking. Although Finches are naturally very friendly, any mixed group of birds should be watched closely for signs of bullying and fighting.
Finches are well socialized, and the fact they like to play among themselves is a positive point. This ensures that, unlike some other birds, such as Parrots, they will not pout, or become depressed, if you do not have the time, or energy, to play with them everyday. The downside of this is that a Finch, being more interested in it’s own kind rather than people, may never become finger tame. While this is not true of every Finch species, most Finches will not take well to being handled. Indeed, special treatment may be required if you do need to handle your Finch. For instance, to trim it’s nails, the best method is to place your palm on the bird’s back, and your thumb and forefinger on either side of it’s head. Rest assured, however, that Finches rarely bite, and, even if they do, their bite is not dangerous or harmful in any way.
Finches are very active. While most of them tend to be extremely easy to care for, they must have a cage that is easy to move around in. It is very important that they have room to fly from perch to perch. For this reason, it is best to keep accessories in the cage to a bare minimum so they have room to freely move about. About all the accessories that a Finch may require is a single toy, and a mirror. A branch that is easily moved about the cage from time to time will serve to give the Finch some variety.
When choosing a toy, you may select any toy that is safe for a Parakeet. These toys will also be safe for your Finches. Another treat your Finches may appreciate is to put a bird bath in their cage once or twice a week. In the wild, Finches like to roll in grass that has become damp with dew. This is their way of giving themselves a bath. So they would much appreciate a small amount of dandelion leaves or grasses, damp with morning dew. Place them in the bottom of their cage for a few hours every so often.
Finches tend to be more quiet than some other bird species. They also tend to be less expensive to purchase than other species, especially compared parrots and soft-billed birds.
Being both hardy, and entertaining, Finches have a lot of appeal as pets. Their cheerful small voices, combined with their unique personalities will provide the Finch owner with a lot of entertainment. Adding to their appeal are their busy antics, great plumage, and of course, their song.
