Caring for Finches: An Expert Guide

Finches are charming and delightful pets perfect for almost any space or schedule.

They prefer their own company, which makes them an ideal pet for someone with not a lot of time or someone who prefers to admire their pets as opposed to pets that snuggle or need daily walking. Some of them are enchanting songbirds, and caring for finches is easier than you think.

Finches come in a variety of colors and personalities. The birds live an average of four to seven years.

Finches do not like to live alone. Keeping them in pairs is strongly suggested by owners and breeders. If you add more birds, those should also be added in pairs.

Adding finches may create some behavioral issues, such as bullying and isolation. If you already have a pair living together, a new solitary addition may end up ignored or avoided. Adding another pair of birds can also open up the possibility of competition or bullying, but having more than six birds (three pairs) usually alleviates these issues.

Buying a Finch

Different varieties of finches have different qualities.

Whether a certain color or the ability to sing may be on your preferred list, review the different breeds before buying or adopting to see what qualities exist in birds available in your area.

If you are considering buying from a breeder, ask to view the facilities. Ensure that the existing cages are large enough to allow for flight, have clear access to food and water, are free from overcrowding and appear regularly cleaned.

When choosing a pair of birds, look for signs of illness:

• Discharge or swollen eyes
• Abnormal growths on the body
• Puffed-out feathers, looks significantly larger or wider than all other birds
• Missing feathers or bald patches
• Limited movement or lying on the cage floor
• Discolored or abnormal droppings in the cage

Ask the breeder for the family history, sex and age of the birds. Recent illnesses or deaths may not be known depending on what birds you are shown, so ask if there have been any recent vet trips or birds on antibiotics in recent months.

Cages and Accessories

Length is the key to a great finch habitat.

Finches need room to fly horizontally more than they need vertical height. This is important because it is their only form of exercise. A pair of finches should have a minimum of 30 inches lengthwise.

Cages should be located in quiet areas with low foot traffic to minimize stress on the birds. Cage linings are usually newspaper or kraft paper. Expect to clean the cage weekly and fully disinfect the cage once per month.

Finches are not big fans of toys, but they do enjoy perches and swings. Since the birds fly horizontally, make sure these items do not interfere or block the flight path. Keep them away from food and water sources so falling droppings do not contaminate their dietary items.

Wood cannot be disinfected once soiled by droppings, so non-toxic hardwood materials or branches are recommended. Avoid dowel perches (feet problems); sandpaper-covered perches (harmful); and redwood, cedar or pressed-wood chips (poisonous to birds).

Food and water containers should be stainless steel or non-toxic plastic to minimize bacteria and contamination.

It’s also a good idea to have a spare set; when cleaning the existing containers, you can replace them with the extra ones. Food and water dishes can be located on opposite ends of the cage to increase exercise.

You Are My Sunshine

Finches need sunlight to stay healthy. If you place their cage by a window with direct sunlight, make sure a shady spot is still available.

In the absence of direct sunlight, the bird cage (or smaller temporary cage) can be placed outside or you can install a bird cage light.

What to Feed Your Finch

Finches need a balanced diet, which can be found in finch pellets that cover full nutritional needs.

They can also be fed seed with fresh food offerings, which usually consists of boiled eggs with shells, vegetables and fruits. Cuttlebone is occasionally added and can help with maintaining their beaks.

Fresh food can be offered at the beginning or the end of the day to mimic the natural foraging periods of finches.

If the birds do not eat the fresh food after a few hours, remove it from the cage and discard it. Change the food daily to minimize bacteria and contamination.

How to Clip a Finch’s Nails

Finches need their nails clipped to keep them from getting caught on cage items and can be done just as you would trim a cat’s nails.

Use sterilized clippers designed for birds or infants and trim off the edge of the nail.

Pay careful attention not to cut too deep; the quick (vein) can bleed and inflict pain. Stop bleeding with styptic powder or sticks if needed.

The beak is usually maintained by the bird and rarely needs trimming.

Early Detection Is Key for Survival

By the time a finch appears sick, it may be too late to save it.

You can take your bird to an avian veterinarian for treatment or ask if you can bring in a fecal sample for analysis.

In addition to treating an illness as it appears, there are some signs to look for as preventive care and early detection:

• Sitting with closed eyes
• Burying, hiding or hanging head excessively
• Significant appetite changes (loss of appetite or overeating/overdrinking)
• Inconsistent or heavy breathing
• Underside stays wet
• Clicking sound when breathing
• Coughing, sneezing or nasal discharge
• Feathers are ruffled or puffed out
• A normally social bird seems withdrawn or inactive during regularly active periods
• Singing birds stop singing completely
• Droppings change in amount, color or consistency

If you notice the above or any other unusual signs, quarantine the bird until it can be seen by your vet. Some birds can also be carriers for diseases yet never become ill. The importance of early detection is crucial as evidenced in this story by a finch owner.

9 Common Pet Finch Health Problems

Finches are great pets for busy people. They prefer their own company and don’t need a lot of attention. They do need proper care, though, and they are susceptible to a host of health problems.

Birds conceal their illnesses well, and by the time you notice your bird is sick, it will be hard to treat. In this article, we break down nine common pet finch health problems.

1. Calcium Deficiency

Finches can become calcium deficient if you don’t provide a proper diet. Prevent this by offering chopped boiled eggs with the shells included. Some people prefer to offer only the egg white and shell without the yolk. Calcium deficiencies can be fatal and need to be treated immediately.

In addition to the egg and shell supplement, check with your avian veterinarian for additional supplements and instructions.

2. Aspergillosis

This illness is a fungal infection caused by mold. The condition causes respiratory distress and can be fatal if not treated right away. Symptoms include changes in breathing, gasping, wheezing or a change in voice for vocal birds.

See your vet as soon as possible if you notice these symptoms. Treatment is long and difficult with medication. Make sure the bird’s cage and areas are dry so mold cannot grow.

3. Bumblefoot

This condition occurs when an infection is present on the bottom of the foot. The skin becomes inflamed and may be red or scabbed over. Causes of this condition include obesity and a lack of activity. Check with your vet for treatment options and use perches with uneven or bumpy surfaces. Disinfect the perches regularly.

4. Mites

Mites can be present in the airway, on the face or body, or will feed off the bird’s blood externally.

Air sac mites infiltrate and infect the airway. If left untreated, the mites can completely obstruct the airway. Symptoms include breathing with the beak open, difficulty breathing or a clicking noise heard as the bird breathes.

Other mites attack the face and body. Scaly-face mites create a scaly appearance at the site of infestation. Red mites live off the blood. If left untreated, these mites can weaken the bird. Check the cage in the morning to see if they are present.

If you notice the presence of any of these mites, see your avian veterinarian as soon as possible.

5. Fractures and Breaks

Legs and wings can be fractured or broken. While some people may have experience creating splints for the legs or setting the wing for the injury to heal, these tasks are best left for your avian vet. Misaligned splints or wing resets can cause further damage.

6. Diarrhea

Loose droppings are a sign of diarrhea. There may also be matting of the feathers because of this change. A cause could be a stomach or intestinal upset, and some people recommend a strong, cold tea to ease the symptoms. If it persists, call your vet.

7. Egg Binding

Some eggs may be difficult to pass and cause inflammation. The egg may also be partially visible, and the bird may flap its tail during this period. If you wait a few hours, the egg should pass. If the egg does not pass, contact your vet. Be careful not to touch the egg or the area; serious injury or death to the pet is possible.

8. Eye Inflammation

This eye condition is usually caused by a tiny feather growing from the eyelid, but it can also be caused by debris or a foreign object. If you can see the irritant, you can try to remove it. If no irritant is visible, it is likely to be an infection. Flush the eye with warm water and apply an eye ointment.

Check with your vet before using anything store-bought, or ask your vet to source it.

9. Overgrown Beak and Claws

Beaks and claws need regular trimming, or they can become overgrown. The claws have blood vessels, and you can trim them just like trimming a cat’s nails. The beak can be trimmed, but care must be taken so the beak is not cut too short. If you are not comfortable trimming the beak, leave it to the vet or an experienced groomer.

If you suspect your finch is sick, quarantine it in a small cage in a warm, quiet area until you can see the veterinarian. Hospital cages are ideal for quarantine periods if you have one or can obtain one. Quarantining the bird is important if you have other birds to whom the illness may spread. Some illnesses can be transferred to humans.

Finches live an average of five to 20 years, and while they may not need much interaction with you, they do need proper care and attention given to their health and surroundings. Finches require room to fly for exercise and should be eating supplemental food in addition to seeds or pellets. Perches should be cleaned and disinfected regularly, especially when they are wooden perches that can absorb moisture and bacteria.

Always remove fresh food after a few hours, keep the cage clean and dry, and pay attention to any changes in your bird. Even the smallest symptoms, such as puffed-up feathers, can be signs of a more serious illness. Despite the above list of pet finch health problems, these are hardy birds good for first-time bird owners.

Final Thoughts on Caring for a Pet Finch

Finches can make beautiful and aesthetically appealing additions to your home and won’t make any demands on your schedule.

Appreciate their beauty and low maintenance with a clean environment, clean food and water, and pay enough attention to illness symptoms to keep them healthy.

A pair of finches playing and being vocal:

Additional Resources

• Finch Aviary
• eFinch
• Finch Info