Compatibility of the Spice Finch & the Parakeet

You may be under the impression that, since domesticated birds are mostly docile, you can cage different species of birds together. Then you will be surprised to learn that, on the contrary, bird species are generally aggressive toward one another and may not like the idea of sharing living space with any other species of bird. Two of the most common avian pets are finches and parakeets, so it makes sense that you might wonder whether these two birds can cohabitate peacefully. Spice finches are social and energetic birds, while parakeets can be territorial.

  1. Similarities

    • Consider two basic criteria when mixing birds. Firstly, parrot species do not gel well with nonparrot species. Therefore, owing to their incompatibility, the two types are safer when kept in different territories. Secondly, never cage birds with varying beak sizes together. The bird having the smaller beak will be at perpetual risk and may get killed, in fact. Finches are known to be compatible with parakeets, as the species are similar in their physical structures. However, parakeets are bigger in size and are quite territorial -- so they can cause harm to spice finches.

    Habitat

    • Similarity in habitat is another important aspect governing compatibility amongst birds. It is always advantageous to cage species hailing from similar habitats, as they generally require the similar specifications for temperature and food. Keeping this rule in mind, it is safe to keep spice finches and parakeets together, as they both are found in Australia.

    Cage Requirements

    • When housing finches and parakeets together, it is essential to have a cage that provides ample space for comfortable existence of the two species. Moreover, these birds are known to exist in harmony as long as they are involved in some form of activity that keeps their aggression levels under control. Finches in particular are extremely energetic and therefore need a large cage that in no way restricts their activity level.

    Precautions

    • Despite parakeets' and finches' compatibility, it is vital to constantly monitor the behavior of the two birds when housed together. Any trace of aggression or hostility observed in their behavior calls for immediate segregation of the birds. Missing feathers is an important sign of animosity or misbehavior. It may be prudent to separate the birds when feeding and especially during night hours to provide maximum safety.