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Finch

Finch Care Sheet

Developed with and approved by a qualified veterinarian.

This care sheet covers a variety of species, including:  

  • Gouldian finch
  • Orange weaver finch
  • Society finch
  • Spice finch
  • Zebra finch

Overview 

Finches are a group of several hundred different species of small, gentle birds that come in a dazzling variety of feather colors and patterns. Many common finch species are native to Australia. Unlike parrots, who belong to the psittacine family of birds, finches belong to the passerine (songbird) family. As very social birds who live in nature in large flocks, finches should always be housed with one or more other finches. Finches are ideal pets for someone who enjoys watching, but not necessarily handling, a pet bird.

Typical appearance and behavior 

  • Finches need the company of other finches to thrive
  • Not all species of finches will live harmoniously with others. Consult a finch breeder or avian veterinarian to see which species may be housed together successfully
  • While not easy to tame, with daily socialization, some hand-raised finches can learn to perch on a finger
  • Most finch species make frequent, pleasant chirping and chattering noises
  • Finches need room to fly back and forth in their habitat, therefore, a large, horizontally oriented habitat is best
  • Provide foraging toys for important mental stimulation

Characteristics

Care Difficulty Beginner
Average Life Span 5-10 years with proper care, depending on species
Average Adult Size 3-6 inches long, head to end of tail, depending on species
Diet herbivores
Minimum Habitat Size 24"W x 14"D x 18"H

Habitat

Habitat size

A rectangular flight habitat, approximately 24"W x 14"D x 18"H, with metal bars spaced no greater than 3/8" apart, makes a good home for two finches. A flight habitat is strongly recommended. It is best to provide the largest habitat possible.

Building your habitat

Finches acclimate well to average household temperatures that do not fall below 65°F or exceed 80°F. Be cautious of extreme temperature changes. The habitat should be securely -locking, off the floor, in a well-lit area, away from drafts, and safe from over-inquisitive predatory pets such as cats and dogs. 

  • Décor – Perches should be at least 3 inches long and ¼ to ½ inch in diameter. A variety of perches of different diameters helps prevent pressure sores from developing on the soles of the feet. Sandpaper covers on perches are abrasive and are not recommended 
  • Bedding - A metal grate over the droppings tray helps keep waste  away from the bird’s feet and helps keep the habitat cleaner. The tray in the habitat bottom should be lined with habitat paper or other paper-based substrate to ease clean up and minimize dust exposure. Provide separate food dishes for dry food, fresh food, and water. To avoid contamination, do not place food or water containers under perches. 
  • Bathing -Provide a birdbath or dish that is large enough for bathing, and fill it with lukewarm water
  • Enrichment – While finches do not chew on toys the same way that parrots do, they do require mental stimulation and enjoy certain kinds of toys. Ensure that habitat parts and toys do not contain lead, zinc or lead-based paints or galvanized parts, as these can cause serious medical issues if ingested by your bird. Suggested toys include:
    • Mirrors - Some finches enjoy them, while others may be afraid of them and attack them. Your bird may become territorial if they think they’re sharing their habitat with another bird 
    • Leather and fabric - Most finches enjoy chewing on leather or fabric strips. These are generally safe, as long as the fabric doesn’t fray and form threads that can get caught around legs or toes
    • Bells - Finches typically love to use their beaks to tap on toys adorned with small bells to make sounds
    • Swings/ladders - Finches generally enjoy swinging on small swings and hopping up and down on small wood or plastic ladders
  • Lighting - Birds need exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light to make vitamin D in their skin and absorb dietary calcium. UV light is filtered out by glass in windows, so placing the habitat next to a window is not sufficient. UV lights designed specifically for birds should shine on the habitat 10 to 12 hours per day and be changed every six months, as their potency wanes

Cleaning your habitat

Spot-clean the habitat daily, removing discarded food and droppings from perches. Thoroughly wash and dry food bowls daily. Replace substrate or habitat liner at least once a week or more often as needed, especially if the habitat houses more than one bird. Regularly clean and disinfect your pet’s habitat and perches by:

  • Moving your finch(es) into a secure place (such as another habitat or travel carrier) in a separate air space
    • Washing the habitat, perches and toys with a bird habitat cleaner or 3% bleach solution, ensuring all trace amounts of habitat cleaner or bleach are washed off so there is no residue to which your bird could be exposed 
      • Do not use any cleaning agents around your bird. Birds’ respiratory tracts are very sensitive to anything aerosolized, and cleaning product fumes can be harmful
    • Thoroughly drying the habitat and its contents
    • Replacing substrate or liner, perches and toys
    • Returning your finch(es) to their habitat

Replace perches, dishes, and toys when worn or damaged. Rotate new toys into the habitat regularly.

What do finches eat?

A well-balanced finch diet consists of:

  • Nutritionally complete and balanced pelleted food formulated for finches (making up 60 to 70% of their diet)
  • Fresh vegetables and fruit, including bell peppers, leafy greens, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and green beans, as well as apples, melon, grapes, kiwi, banana, papaya, and mango. All fresh produce must be shredded into small pieces to be manipulated by tiny finch beaks.
  • Clean, fresh water, changed daily
  • Small amounts of seed. While nutritionally incomplete, seeds contain fat that is important in the production of hormones that drive mating behaviors. Finches in nature eat a variety of different kinds of grass seed, including Niger, canary, hemp, linseed, and rapeseed. Pet finches should be fed a small amount of a variety of seeds, but seed should not be the mainstay of their diet.
  • During breeding and egg-laying, finches require higher amounts of protein in their diets, which can be provided by offering commercially available “egg food,” small amounts of cooked eggs, or freeze-dried or live insects such as crickets, mealworms, and waxworms two to three times per week

Things to remember when feeding your finch:

  • Fresh food and water should always be available
  • Vegetables and fruits not eaten within 10 hours should be discarded before they spoil
  • Millet spray can be offered as an occasional treat a few times per week
  • Do not feed birds avocado, fruit seeds, chocolate, caffeine or alcohol, as these are toxic and can cause illness or death
  • Although birds are social and like to eat when their flock-mates eat, never share food from your plate or your mouth, as people have microorganisms in their mouths that can cause serious illness in birds
  • Do not feed finches undigestible grit or gravel, as these are required only by birds who ingest seeds whole, including the hulls, and need to grind up whole seeds in their stomachs; finches discard the hulls as they ingest seeds. Finches can be offered digestible grit such as oyster shell or cuttlebone as a source of calcium when they are egg-laying
  • Treats should not exceed 10% of their diet

Care

  • Bird pet parents should avoid using non-stick cookware and appliances, as they can release colorless, odorless fumes when heated that can kill birds once they inhale them.
  • Finches may initially be skittish when approached by their pet parents but can become comfortable and bonded to them over time
  • Finches often enjoy bathing. Provide clean, lukewarm water in a birdbath or bowl that is separate from their drinking water to allow daily bathing.  Remove the water when birds are done
  • Birds need regular grooming, including nail trimming, every few weeks to months. Nails should be trimmed by a qualified person to prevent injury to the bird. Finches should not have their wings clipped

Where to buy 

In store only Finches are available for purchase at some local Petco locations. Call ahead to check availability.

Supplies 

Habitat mates

Finches can be kept with one or more other finches, as long as the habitat is large enough. Not all species of finches will live harmoniously with others. Consult an  avian veterinarian to see which species may be housed together successfully.

Different types of birds should not be housed together.

Health 

Signs of a healthy animal

  • Active, alert and sociable
  • Eats and drinks throughout the day
  • Dry nares and bright, dry eyes
  • Beak, legs and feet are normal in appearance
  • Clean, dry vent
  • Smooth, well-groomed feathers

Red Flags (Contact your veterinarian if you notice these signs.)

  • Beak swelling or accumulations
  • Fluffed, plucked or soiled feathers
  • Sitting on floor of habitat
  • Wheezing or coughing
  • Runny or discolored stools
  • Favoring one foot when not sleeping
  • Eye or nasal discharge
  • Red or swollen eyes
  • Loss of appetite

Common health issues

Health Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action
Health IssueDiarrhea Symptoms or CausesFecal portion of stool (versus solid white urine portion or clear liquid urine) is not formed. Multiple causes, from diet change to viral or bacterial infection to internal parasites. Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian and ensure correct diet.
Health IssueRespiratory tract mites Symptoms or CausesDifficulty breathing, breathing with an open mouth, agitation. Caused by a microscopic mite that lives in the trachea (airway). Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian and clean habitat.
Health IssueBarbering of feathers Symptoms or CausesHabitat mates picking on each other’s feathers. Due to overcrowding and aggression between incompatible species. Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian. Separate birds into different habitats and make sure habitat is large enough.
Health IssueAvian pox Symptoms or CausesSwellings or dry, crusty scabs in mouth or on eyes and face. May also cause difficulty breathing or sudden death without any lesions. Suggested ActionIsolate bird and consult your veterinarian.

FAQs

  • What do finches eat? A commercially available, nutritionally balanced and complete pelleted diet made for finches, along with smaller amounts of fresh vegetables, fruit and a limited amount of seed
  • What is a finch? A finch is a small songbird who is a member of the passerine family of birds
  • What does a finch look like? Finches are small birds, typically no bigger than 6 inches from head to tail, who come in a variety of feather colors and patterns depending on species
  • How long do finches live? Finches can live up to 5 to 10 years with proper care and nutrition
  • Where do finches live? In nature, most finches live in Australia
  • How do you care for finches? By providing them with an appropriately sized habitat, a nutritionally complete and balanced pelleted diet supplemented with fresh produce and smaller amounts of seed and toys for enrichment
  • What should I feed a baby finch? Once baby finches are no longer being fed by their parents, they should be offered a commercially available, nutritionally balanced and complete pelleted diet made for finches, along with smaller amounts of fresh vegetables, fruit and a limited amount of seed

Notes & sources

Ask a Pet Care Center associate about Petco's selection of products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. All products carry a 100% money-back guarantee.

Because all birds are potential carriers of infectious diseases such as chlamydiosis, always wash your hands before and after handling your bird or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of disease.

Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physicians before purchasing or caring for birds and should consider having a pet other than a bird.

Go to cdc.gov/healthypets for more information about birds and disease

 

The information on this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you need additional information, contact your veterinarian as appropriate.

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