Finches

[FishAddict99]

My dad bought finches last week! I've gotta say, I was never too keen on any pet that you couldn't hold (excluding fish of course). So I never actually thought of small birds as pets. By I gotta say, these guys totally won me over. They don't squalk, they make these tiny chirping noises. It kind of sounds like a rocking chair squeaking. I've included a video so you can hear them. 2 of them are totally white with bright orange beaks and legs. The other two are a mix of brown and white. They are very hyper little things. Tomorrow, I'm hoping to pick up some nests for them to hide in.

Sorry the pictures are kind of crappy. I can only take photos outside of the cage.

 

[drewry]

hi FishAddict99

nice zebras and bengalise
i used to keep theses finches a few years ago in an avary there really nice little birds my daughter used to like the way they hop she used to laugh her head off at them .

 

[guineapigqueen]

The white ones are female Zebra finch and the Brown are Bengalise, but not sure on the sex.
If you want male Zebras look out for ones like these with the cheek patch...
http/www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets...a_Finch_620.JPG
http/www.birdtrek.co.uk/trek/breeding04/Zebra_Finch04.jpg

I used to keep both a while ago until a Cat got into my shed and ate them!

Emm ax

 

[monica]

Will you be hand taming them?
Lovely birds.

 

[FishAddict99]

Well they all are located at my grandfather's house. My dad came home with them one night, without mentioning it to my mom first. My mom freaked out and so now, they all live at my grandfather's house. I was hoping she might change her mind, but so far no luck. I would love to hand-tame them but I hardly ever go over there and my grandpa sure doesn't take them out. Last time I saw them, they were really nervous around people. Maybe I'll just take them when I move out of my house. Anyone have an idea as to how long they live?

 

[Colin_T]

Finches can live for 8-10yrs.

They normally take a few weeks to settle down especially if they have been kept in an aviary and then put into a smaller cage.

Get a couple of nests for them to sleep in at night. Add some grass to their cage each day and they will eat some of it and use the rest to line the inside of the nest. Domed nests are the best but any sort of round or covered nest is fine.

The birds should have a basic seed diet (I normally use a canary mix and a finch mix in equal parts), some cuttlebone, grit, and green feed every day. They should also get clean water each day and in warm weather it should be checked throughout the day because they bath in it and splash it out.

With white zebra finches the male has a red beak and the female has an orange beak. It looks like a pr in the 2nd pic.
You can't sex Bengalese from looking at them.

 

[FishAddict99]

i went to petco and bought them two bird nests that are very similar to this one:
http/www.amazon.com/Prevue-Thatched-Hut-...0436&sr=8-4

the last time i was over, all of the birds were outside of the nests. i haven't seen them use them yet, i hope they know how.

when you say add some grass, do you mean from outside? both my lawn and my grandfather's lawn gets sprayed with pesticides, so i can't get any from outside. petco seems to seel bird nesting material, could i just buy that instead?

 

[TylerFerretLord]

petco seems to seel bird nesting material, could i just buy that instead?

That should be fine.

 

[Colin_T]

yeah use the petco stuff if your place gets sprayed. Try and avoid coconut fibre or wool/ cotton because they can wrap around the birds legs and cut off the circulation, resulting in the loss of feet.
The birds will sleep in the nests at night and if they have eggs then they will take turns sitting on them during the day as well.

Make sure they get some fresh fruit/veges each day. You can offer them apple, carrot, lettuce, etc. Avoid onions and their relatives, and potatoes.