Finch Bird Eating Habits

Originally a species native to western parts of the United States and Mexico, finches were introduced to the eastern part of the United States in 1940. Finches were once sold in pet stores as "Hollywood Finches" due to their popularity among the Hollywood elite for their upbeat chirping and the male finch's appealing colorful breast and head. Finches are jovial by nature and can often be seen at bird feeders where they tend to eat in the company of other finches. Finches will frequent bird feeders that contain a variety of seeds and nectar.

  1. Vegetarian

    • Finch birds are unlike many birds due to their diet. Many birds switch their eating habits seasonally. Finches maintain their vegetarianism regardless of the season. Finches enjoy eating a variety of seeds, fruit, buds and weed seeds. Sunflower seeds, thistle, canary seeds and mulberries as well as cherries are among their favorite foods. Bird watchers can create a successful finch bird feeding station by using suet, bird seeds, breadcrumbs and nectar at the station.

    Finding Food

    • Finches tend to forage on the ground for food. In open spaces, finches enjoy high perches in order to see their food better. Occasionally, finches will eat insects; however, this is a rare occurrence and is often not on purpose. Finches will frequent bird feeders that are full of sunflower and other seeds. Finches are known to cause damage to orchard fruit due to their tendency to feed on ripening fruit. Many orchard farmers will spray their crops with repellent in order to prevent finches from ruining their crops.

    Feeding Their Young

    • Finches regurgitate their food to their young. While the female is sitting on the eggs, the male finch will regurgitate food into her mouth. After the eggs hatch, the female finch remains in the nest and is fed by the male. The female in turn will regurgitate food into the babies' mouths. Parent finches will continue to feed their young after the young have fledged. The male parent will continue to feed the young even if the female finds another mate and raises another brood.

    Drinking

    • Finches must have water at least once a day. Finches drink water by scooping water into their beaks and tilting their heads back. Finches drink from shallow pools, bird baths and slow flowing streams. They will also drink dew in warmer months. During winter months, finches eat snow or drink the melted water off of roofs when they are unable to find flowing water.