• Life expectancy: 6-8 years

• Cannot learn to speak, but have melodic singing abilities

• “Passerine” who relies on their ability to fly to navigate their enclosure

Finches were kept as pets for centuries, entertaining their caregivers with their gently trilling sounds, and songs, and endless choreographed movements. While some vocalize with a “peep-peep” (perfect for apartment dwellers), others have soft, beautiful songs! These small, lively, and sociable birds are easy to care for and many are easy to breed. Finches will fit the lifestyle of just about anyone!

Creating a Finch Flock

Finches must never be kept alone. They are extremely sociable birds and need partners of their own species. If deprived of companions (whether their own species or not), they will suffer loneliness and possibly sickness. Finches will be healthier and happier with a “flock” to belong to.

Compatibility will vary from species to species. Usually, a male and a female of the same species is the best match to make. Neither males nor females should predominate in your cage/aviary. Unattached birds will cause problems since they will always be looking for a mate.

Perch or Nest Sleeper

Perch sleepers will sleep huddled together or by themselves on a perch. Nest sleepers will build nests for sleeping, even outside of their mating season. The nest builders need to have access to nesting material and ready-made nests, otherwise they may catch cold or become panicked at night. Some finches are individuals who are exceptions to the “nest sleeper” or “perch sleeper” rule.

Handling

Finches are “ornamental” in that are kept on display, rather than handled, and enjoy living in beautiful enclosure set ups while engaging in their own bird flock.

To provide a happy, healthy atmosphere for your finches, Petland recommends the following necessary, and fun accessories. We have listed them as your new pet’s four basic needs: Environmental, Behavioural, Nutritional, and Maintenance. When these needs are met, along with a loving environment provided by you, your finches can live a long and happy life.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Enclosure – When choosing a cage for your finches, get the largest cage that you can that is wide enough for flight. This bird will not receive out-of-cage time, and therefore it is essential that their cage is large enough to accommodate flying, as well as all of their perches, toys, nests, etc. Your pet counsellor can show you homes specifically designed for your bird.

Ensure the location of the cage is draft free, away from heat or air-conditioning vents, and not in direct sunlight. It should also be in a room where people frequently hang out so that the finches feel like part of the family. Consider using a cage stand to hold the cage and store supplies.

Cage Cover – A cage cover helps your finches get the rest they need (approximately 12 hours). Remember that birds wake at sunrise and sleep at sunset. The cover can be a blanket, but make sure the finches are not shredding it, as this can pose a choking risk.

Lighting – Your bird needs daily exposure to ultraviolet light. In our climate, regular outdoor access is not always possible, and sunlight through a window is ineffective because the glass filters out important UV rays. Using a UVA/UVB bulb and avian floor lamp is therefore essential.

UVA and UVB light help prevent calcium and vitamin D3 deficiencies, which can lead to serious health problems. UV exposure also allows birds to see colours properly, as they can become effectively colour blind without it. In addition, UVA light may help reduce abnormal behaviours such as feather plucking, phobias, and aggression. For more information ask a pet counsellor for a copy of the Ultraviolet Lighting for Birds and Reptiles Tip Sheet.

Perches – Birds are not meant to stand on the same perch size all the time. Provide your finches with a variety of perch diameters (3/8-3/4 inch) for proper foot exercise, ideally branch-like perches with diverse sizes and textures. Place these higher in the cage where they prefer to rest. Rough perches (like concrete or sandpaper) can help trim nails but should be placed lower so they’re used less often. Ensure perches allow easy access to food and water, without being positioned above dishes where droppings could contaminate them.

BEHAVIOURAL

Toys – Toys typically mimic the natural activities of the species in the wild, such as flying, preening, foraging, building nests, and defending their nest site. Providing a variety of toys will give them the extra mental stimulation and entertainment they need. Without, they can grow bored and take up bad behaviours such as plucking or fighting.

A pacifier toy is fashioned to encourage preening. Small rope toys with bells, and beaded toys also may be appreciated. Hanging plastic plants from the reptile department can serve as hiding places, which will help to make your finches feel more secure.

Nests and Nesting Material – As mentioned, some finches are perch sleepers and others are nest sleepers; however, nests and nesting materials should be provided for all of them. Not only do they give the finches an activity (collecting and lining the nest), but a nest will provide a sense of security. One or two nests per pair is ideal. A nesting box may encourage breeding behaviours, although some finches will breed even without the nesting box!

NUTRITIONAL

Staple Diet – Finch seed mix should be available at all times. Check food daily, replace if soiled, and don’t be misled by empty husks. Refill the dish every day.

Protein Supplement – All finches need animal protein to supplement their diet every day. Egg food or a mashed boiled egg that is mixed with a bit of bread crumbs (so it isn’t mushy) may be offered in a small cup. Mealworms may also be offered a few times a week. The worms should be chopped (not whole) and offered in a small dish.

Fresh Foods – Birds should be offered a salad of fresh foods every day that are shredded into pick-up-and-fly pieces. Vegetables like shredded carrots, romaine lettuce, green beans, snow peas, sweet potatoes, and eggplant make good choices. Fruits should be considered a treat and offered minimally.

Every bird is different in their tastes. While your finches may love certain fruits and vegetables, they may reject others. Keep trying and offer a variety. With exposure, they will be more willing to try in the future. Feed fresh foods in a separate dish, and remove it after one hour.

Treats – Packaged seed treats, honey sticks, egg biscuits and spray millet provide your finches with the variety they crave and the behavioural requirements they need, such as foraging.

Spray Millet – Millet is one of the few foods finches would naturally find in the wild. When bringing your finches home, offer spray millet daily, as it may be the only food they feel comfortable eating at first. Once they have settled into their new environment, reduce millet treats to once or twice a week.

Cuttlebone – Cuttlebone will supply your finches with calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals. Hang it in their cage where droppings cannot soil it. Replace it every two months, as they are very porous and absorb odours and fumes from the environment, such as smoke or cooking smells. If your bird does not show interest in the cuttlebone, grind it up into powder and mix it with their salad or favourite treat.

Iodine Block – An iodine block provides iodine, copper, and many other minerals in small quantities. It is fun to chew, and tasty too.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplement – In the wild, a bird is free to fill all of their nutritional requirements but in a cage/aviary environment, they are not. To make sure your finches are getting the vitamins their bodies require, we recommend the addition of a high-quality powdered vitamin. This may be administered on top of their daily salad. A liquid vitamin may be added to the water instead. Watch your finches to make sure they are accepting the vitaminized water since you do not want your birds to go without drinking for any length of time.

MAINTENANCE

Food Dishes – Food and water should always be available for your finches. You will need five dishes: one for the staple diet, one for protein supplements, one for fresh foods, one for water, and one for treats.

Substrate – Cage paper is easy to remove and will not become a soppy mess like paper towels or newspaper when water is splashed on it. Paper-based bedding may be used if there is a grate overtop to prevent the finches from close contact amongst their feces.

Bird Bath/Showering – Offer your finches a daily misting shower or a shallow bowl of warm water for bathing. Use a clean spray bottle with warm water and mist gently from above if they dislike direct spraying. If they are hesitant to bathe, place a damp lettuce leaf in the bowl to encourage curiosity. Offer the bath in the morning so that the birds have the heat of the day to dry off.

Cage Cleaner – Use a pet-safe cleaner, ideally one that is enzyme-based to break down stains and odours. Clean the cage weekly with the cleaner or hot water and mild soap, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Avoid bleach and other household cleaners, as they can irritate your pet’s respiratory system or cause even worse problems.

Nail Clippers and Coagulant – Your finches’ nails will grow continuously. Typically, sandpaper or concrete perches are sufficient to keep the nail filed. However, nail clippers that are made especially for birds can be used to manage the length. Take care not to trim too short or cut into the blood vessels running through each nail. Keep a blood coagulant on hand in case this happens.

Cleanliness and Safety

All pets can potentially carry diseases that may be contagious to people. Hygiene procedures, such as washing your hands before and after handling your pet or its habitat, are necessary. Children should be assisted with hand washing and always have adult supervision when interacting with pets.

Attention: Certain cookware, aerosols, incense, aromatic candles, and household cleaners may be harmful or worse to your bird’s health. Ask a pet counsellor for a copy of the Safety Tips & Household Hazards Tip Sheet.

CHECKLIST

• Enclosure

• (Optional) Cage stand

• Cage cover

• UV light bulb and lamp

• A variety of perches

• A variety of toys

• Staple diet

• Protein supplement

• Treats

• Spray millet

• Cuttlebone

• Iodine block

• Vitamin and mineral supplement

• Food dishes

• Substrate

• Bird bath or spray bottle

• Cage cleaner

• Nail clippers and coagulant

Please ask your pet counsellor what other items pertain to your pet’s needs.

Click here to find all your finches' needs.