are finch birds good pets

If you are deciding on what small bird to get as a pet, finches are a good choice. Bird owners who get finches usually end up wanting to get more than one.

Watch this video from our Avian expert, Dr. Laurie Hess, to learn more about these beautiful perching birds.

Most people are familiar with little finches. They’re small perching birds. They’re actually members of the Passerine family. They’re not parrots.

If you’re considering having a finch, just remember that they’re kind of like potato chips. It’s hard to have just one. They’re very addictive. They like to be around other birds. They do very well with other finches in a flock situation, ideally in a large cage with lots of levels for them to jump around in an aviary cage. They come in all different, beautiful, vibrant colors, different patterns, and as I said, when you have one, you often end up with many. If you’re considering having just one, you need to realize that you need to spend a lot of time with that bird every day because they are prone to self-mutilation of their skin and picking at their feathers when they’re not socialized properly or when they’re alone and they’re bored.

They live on average of about three to five years. They can live more than 10 years when cared for properly, and they’re really for someone who is just more interested in looking at their birds than necessarily holding them.

Most people are familiar with little finches. They’re small perching birds. They’re actually members of the Passerine family. They’re not parrots.

Finches are an excellent option if you’re thinking about getting a small bird as a pet. When a bird owner gets finches, they typically want to get more than one.

They live on average of about three to five years. When properly cared for, they can live for over a decade, so their true purpose is for someone who prefers to observe their birds rather than hold them.

Watch this video from our Avian expert, Dr. Laurie Hess, to learn more about these beautiful perching birds.

If you’re thinking about getting a finch, keep in mind that they resemble potato chips. It’s hard to have just one. They’re very addictive. They like to be around other birds. They thrive in flock settings with other finches, preferably in a sizable aviary cage with plenty of levels for them to jump around in. They are available in a wide variety of exquisite, vivid hues and patterns, and as I previously mentioned, having one usually results in having several. If you’re thinking about getting just one, you should know that you will need to spend a lot of time with it every day because these birds are prone to self-mutilation due to improper socialization or boredom when left alone. They will also pick at their feathers.

Traits and Personalities of Finches

Staudenmaier claims that finches are “outgoing and, in my opinion, a little more gregarious than canaries.” She continues, “Both sexes can make good pets, but male finches tend to be more vocal like canaries.” (But don’t expect to hear a canary’s beautiful singing; finches are more recognized for their peeps and chirps.) ) Because they’re so active, finches are fun to watch.

Acquire a companion (or several) as soon as possible because these birds are gregarious and do not fare well alone.

Staudenmaier says, “Finches can do fine in ‘bachelor’ flocks—they don’t have to be female-male pairs.” One word of caution: introduce two birds cautiously if they have never shared a cage in order to avoid fighting and harm. For a few days until they are acclimated to one another, house them in different nearby cages.

Finches love to make nests, says Staudenmaier. If you have a group of males, put nesting material—like newspaper, cloth, or tissue paper shreds—on the floor of the cage. You can get wicker or plastic nest boxes. Or try Sungrow’s coconut shell bird house.

Just keep your pets away from nesting materials if any females are present in your group. “Reproductive behavior in birds can be stimulated by nests, which raises the risk for medical conditions like egg binding, which can be a serious condition,” says Staudenmaier.

Although they most likely won’t want to be handled by you or other family members, your finches will appreciate some company. To observe your pets hop and fly around the cage while they can see and hear you, keep the cage in a fairly busy area (such as the family room).

Types of Finches and Where to Get Them

Among pet parents, the society finch is one of the most popular species. Society finches are bred as pets because they aren’t found in the wild like other varieties of finches. They are renowned for being amiable and for having a melodious chirp. Typically, they are white and brown with various kinds of markings.

If you wish to keep finches, another common species are zebra finches. These gray birds, which are native to Australia, have recognizable red beaks and red legs. They can live with both their own kind and other varieties of finches.

Finches are reasonably priced; zebra or society finches can be purchased for between $20 and $40. Or you can try getting one at your local shelter. Since most of the animals at the shelter are adults, Staudenmaier says you can get a better idea of their personalities and whether they’d fit in with your lifestyle.

If at all possible, watch your potential finches before purchasing or bringing them home. You want to see birds that are interacting with their surroundings and people in a happy manner.

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