Finches can be wonderful little pets. Many of the species can be kept in pairs or groups, using either same sex birds or both sexes. Their colourful feathers, cheerful chirping and constant movement can bring a smile to most peoples' faces.
Although these are small birds, their cages should not be small. They must have a lot of space due to their high activity level. There should be at least two perches and these should be far enough apart so that the birds have to fly between them, rather than just hop back and forth.
Many people keep a mixture of different types of finches. Some are more aggressive than others, so care must be taken to ensure that you have birds that are compatible. You can find lists of compatible birds at Finch information Center or at Net Pets. If you select species with similar dispositions, and have them in a cage or flight large enough for the number of birds you have, you should not have aggression problems in your cage or aviary.
Generally, if you have six or more birds, the possibility of one bird being picked on is lessened as any aggression will be spread around. Keep in mind that the cage must be large enough to allow this many birds together.
The diet of pet finch should be seeds (both dry and sprouted), pellets (sized and formulated specifically for finches), tiny pieces of fruits and vegetables, insects, hard boiled egg (including the crushed shell) and cuttlebone. Clean water must be provided at least once per day as well as fresh water in a shallow container for bathing.
Finch are ideal pets for apartment living, as well as cages or flights in a home or as a flock in an outdoor aviary.
The Complete Book of Finches and Softbills by David Alderton (available at Amazon.com) or the e-book on Zebra and Society Finches written by Mavis Metcalf are both worth taking a look for more information on finches.
Mavis Metcalf is editor of the Birds Site at Bella Online.
