FINCHES  

Finches are lively, cheerful, easy to care for companions. Mostly quiet birds, there are some that have a song, and most are very active. The average lifespan of most finches is between 5 and 10 years, though some finches have lived 27 years! There are hundreds of species of finches in the world; some have been domesticated for over 500 years.

Diet

Free feed fortified finch seed daily. Supplement with small amounts of fruits and vegetables: dandelions, carrot tops, watercress, apple or pear. Fresh water should be available at all times. Additional proteins can be offered such as hard boiled egg, whole wheat bread and meal worms. Provide a cuttlebone for extra calcium and beak conditioning and a treat cup with oystershell or grit with charcoal.

Housing  

As quiet birds finches make a good apartment pet. Finches are quite friendly and can easily be housed in a spacious cage with other finches and other softbills. However, larger species may be aggressive to smaller species. Don't overcrowd as this may cause feather picking. Finches need space to fly and exercise, requiring a more horizontal flight cage.

Provide several perches or branches, a few toys/mirrors, finch nests and a nest box for sleeping. A bird protector disk can help prevent mites. Attach a bird bath to the cage and change daily, as it will also be used for drinking water. Cover nightly to prevent drafts and disturbances. .

Care

A clean environment as well as fresh food and water daily is a must to prevent disease and illness. Basic cage care includes daily cleaning of the water and food dishes. Change paper bottoms daily and litter coverings every 2-3 days. Clean and disinfect the cage weekly. Wash the perches and toys whenever they become soiled.

Grooming

Give your finch a bath at least once a week and daily during the summer by placing a bath on the bottom of the cage. A bath with an enclosure will help to keep the water splashing to a minimum. Bathing is very important to finches during moulting and breeding. Finches generally maintain their beaks on their own. Occasional trimming of nails will be required.

Health

A balanced diet, cleanliness and plenty of exercise will prevent most finch illnesses. Some signs of illness: sitting with eyes closed, ruffled feathers, lack of appetite, irregular breathing, keeping its head tucked under its wing. Consult an avian veterinarian if any of these signs are noticed.