Do Finches Make Good Pets?

Pros:

• Finches are easier to care for than a lot of other birds because they don’t need handling.
• Finches are quieter than a lot of other birds. They don’t screech like a lot of birds, and only make their natural bird songs.
• Finches are small, so their cage will take up more space.

Cons

• Finches can almost never be tamed and handled. Trying to handle an adult finch will stress it greatly and it may die. Finches that are hand raised from an egg may become tame.
• Finches only live 4-6 years, significantly shorter than other birds.
• Finches are very prone to stress and sometimes small things, such as another pet in the room, may stress them out and make them get sick and die.
• You have to keep a group of finches together because they need company.

If you’re interested in getting a pet finch, I recommend the book Finches (Animal Planet Pet Care Library), which has a lot of great care info on finches.

Zebra Finches | Photo of the Day

Pet Care Tip of the Day

Q: What is the average life span of a zebra finch?

A: Zebra finches, on average, live between 5 and 15 years with proper care.

Pet Care Tip of the Day

Q: What is the average lifespan of a blue and gold macaw?

A: On average, blue and gold macaws live between 30 and 50 years.

Pet Care Tip of the Day

Some great treats for pet birds include nuts, cooked beans, popcorn, grains, bread (preferably whole grain–it’s more nutritious for both your birds and you!), popcorn, hot peppers, sprouts, fruit, and vegetables. These foods add nutrients to your pet’s diet and are fun to share with your bird!

Pet Care Tip of the Day

They say prevention is the best medicine, and this is especially the case in avian pneumonia. Keeping your bird out of drafts can help them stay healthier.

Keeping your bird’s cage clean and feeding it a healthy diet can also help prevent infections and diseases.