About Finch Birds

North America has more than 20 species of wild finches, and many non-native species that people also keep as pets. Finches belong to the Fringillidae family. These seed-eating songbirds are social, active, colorful little birds that often flock to bird feeders. As pets, they are prolific breeders and get along well with other birds. The proper care and feeding of pet finches can be deduced by observing their wild cousins.

  1. Types of Finches

    • Wild North American finches include the common house finch, the lesser gold finch, the purple finch, the American gold finch, the red crossbill, the common rose finch, the red-crowned Cassin's finch and the large, brightly colored evening grosbeak. Pet finches come in even more varieties and color morphs, some of the most popular being the society finch (which comes in gray, chestnut, pearl and fawn,) the very popular zebra finch, the yellow saffron finch, the colorful gouldian finch, the white java rice finch, the spice finches and the canary.

    Attracting Finches

    • Any feeder filled with birdseed containing nyger or thistle, sunflower, canary seeds and white proso millet will attract finches, David Musumeche writes on the website Backyard Chirper. Finches may also feed on nectar and suet. The birds also are often attracted to backyard birdbaths, and will happily feed from hopper or tube feeders or finch "sock feeders."

    Housing Finches

    • In captivity, finches need a long cage rather than a tall one. They do best when housed as a single pair or as a small flock in an aviary. For two finches, a length of 30 inches is the minimum cage size. Bars of the cage should be no more than a half-inch apart. Finches establish a hierarchy, so they need plenty of space to avoid bullies. Birdguys.com recommends that if there is not enough natural light entering the birds' area, the need for light can be met with a full-spectrum light on a timer, set to mimic day and night. Many finches like to spend the night in a nest, such as small basket nests sold at many pet stores. Mirrors, beads and other shiny objects may attract finches. Some enjoy climbing ladders; others enjoy bathing in a shallow water dish.

    Diet

    • In the wild, the finch consumes seed, insects and fruit. In captivity, a finch's diet should contain seed supplemented by insects such as crickets and mealworms. A finch pellet can also be provided instead of seed. Some fresh food is also recommended, including boiled eggs with shells, carrots, bean sprouts, broccoli, spinach, mangoes, oranges, bananas, pineapples and papaya.

    Breeding

    • In the wild, finches nest in bushes or trees, building a cup-shaped nest from twigs and grasses. Most finches reach sexual maturity at 6 months old. Once the nest is built to the female's liking, she lays an egg a day. She will not sit on the eggs until she has laid a "clutch" containing three to eight eggs. Once she begins to sit, the incubation period is 14 days. The baby birds fledge (leave the nest) after about 21 days.