Finches

Finches are right up there as some of the most delicate birds in captivity. There are many different breeds and colors.

Some of the most common ones are Zebra and Society Finches. They are inexpensive and hearty.

Some of the uncommon finches are Cut-Throat, Strawberry, Owl, Red Cheeked, Cordon Bleu, Star, Shafttail, Red Eared Waxbill, Java Rice, and Lady Gouldian Finches. They start in the neighborhood of $20.00 up, some way-up.

There are a number of ways to house finches. They can be kept in the house, out of drafts in a small cage placed where they can get sunshine, but not to hot. Sunshine is necessary for the health of any bird. Or they can be kept outside in an aviary where they have sunshine, fresh air and lots of room to fly. Half of the aviary needs to be covered, or a portion of it, so the birds can get out of the weather. If the birds are picked carefully, different types can be housed together.

Most finches like seed but will eat small leaf vegetables such as kale, spinach and Swiss chard. Dandelion and chickweed are consumed eagerly. They like seeded grasses; (soaked or sprouted seed is a convenient substitute for seeded grass).

Finches can use the basket weave nests, small wood boxes, or Bermuda grass nests. Waxbills prefer hidden boxes; use plants to hide the box. They do need fiber in the box for nesting material.

The majority of finches lay an average of four to six eggs that are usually white. Incubation is about fourteen days. They usually have feathers by eighteen to twenty-four days.

Zebra, Society and Java Rice finches will breed almost anywhere, but most other finches need a quiet place for nest sites.

Lisa Jeffris

Finchworld The Center for Exotic Finches

National Finch & Softbill Society