by Lauren Von Lehe

Created on: October 24, 2008   Last Updated: January 18, 2010

Imagine walking into your home to be greeted by the contented chatter of small birds as they play, nest, and fly from perch to perch. If you are an avian enthusiast who isn't ready to commit to the time (and noise) of a large bird, the finch may be the perfect pet for your home. Like any pet, if you do decide to keep these cheerful little creatures, be sure to do your research first.

Finches as Pets

Finches are originally from Asia, Africa, and Australia with an average lifespan of 5 years. Finch owners typically keep multiples of these social birds together with more than one color type. The most common types are the Zebra, Lady Gouldin, and Australian Grass Finch. While this is not a bird to be handled due to its small size, many owners find their interactions to be plenty rewarding.

One elderly owner reported bathing with her birds every day. She would open up the cage so that her finches could join her by flying to the bathtub where they splashed and played while she washed. At the end of their bath, the birds returned to their cage where they were fed lunch. Finches also enjoy being talked and chattered to by their caretakers.

Hand-raised vs. Parented Birds

It is true that a hand-raised bird will be more attached to humans. However, there are a few drawbacks to this practice. Hand-raising a finch requires time and very specific care. Baby birds have to be kept warm at all times and fed a special formula every 1 to 4 hours depending on their age. There is also a higher risk of losing babies by raising them this way. There is no safety zone' for hand-rearing. Babies who have thrived for weeks can quickly stop thriving.

If you plan on breeding a hand-raised bird in the future, just be aware of the possible consequences. Some breeders have reported that their hand-reared hatchlings were unsuccessful either breeding or knowing how to care for young because of their lack of an avian role model. This is not always the case, but can and does happen.

Housing

There is nothing more rewarding than to watch the natural behavior of finches in a large bird aviary. Not all keepers have the space or ability to provide such a large living space. When it comes to cage sizes, just remember that bigger is always better. The absolute minimum measurements for a finch cage are 12"x12"x15". Keep in mind that bar spacing must be small enough that they won't be able to escape.

Inside the cage, finches should be entertained with toys and accessories. It is very important to provide

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