Choosing the perfect pet takes plenty of research and planning, especially when it comes to birds. Keeping a bird can be a serious commitment because some species can live for several decades and need a surprising amount of attention and interaction to stay healthy.
Finches are relatively affordable and easy to care for, although keeping them happy and healthy still requires daily care and maintenance. This guide introduces six of the most popular pet finch species to help you find the perfect pet bird for your home. Let’s get started!
What Are Finches?
Finches are small seed-eating birds with cone-shaped bills. Strictly speaking, the true finches belong to the Fringillidae family, although many similar-looking birds are commonly referred to as finches. These attractive birds live on every continent except Antarctica, so there are probably a few species that naturally occur in your area.
Finches as Pets
Finches are small birds, but that doesn’t mean they should have a small cage. Unlike parrots which might enjoy some out-of-cage time, these little birds do not enjoy handling, so they should have plenty of space to exercise within their enclosure. An aviary is ideal but choose the largest cage you can when keeping finches indoors.
Finches can’t mimic human speech like some talking birds, but they are generally much quieter than other pet birds. They are not silent, however, and you can expect them to peep and chatter quite a lot. They are very social birds that tend to live in groups and flocks in nature, so make sure they have at least one friend to share their cage.
The finch’s natural diet makes it an ideal choice for captivity. Seed mixes are easy to find at pet stores and even supermarkets, but it’s important to research the needs of a particular species. These birds appreciate some variety in their diet, so offer some leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables on a regular basis.
Now that you know a little more about finches, let’s dive right in and learn about six popular species you can keep!
Zebra Finch
The zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) is a firm favorite among bird lovers. These tiny Australian seed eaters are one of the most common finches in captivity, and they are a very affordable species that is suitable for beginners.
Zebra finches are friendly little birds, but they should not be handled. These social animals are usually kept in pairs or groups to provide companionship and they will breed if you provide a suitable nest. Like other birds, zebra finches require daily cage-cleaning to stay healthy in the long run.
These birds are available in various color morphs, including grey, fawn, and white. However, their natural plumage colors are very attractive. Wild-type males are more colorful than females and have a darker orange bill.
2. Society Finch
The society finch (Lonchura striata) has been kept in captivity for well over a century and is popular worldwide. Males and females look alike, but these birds are easy to breed if you can pick out a pair.
Society finches are not particularly colorful, although they are available in many different morphs, including various shades of brown, grey, and white. Like other finches, these Asian birds have a mostly vegetarian diet and should be fed small seeds and greens.
3. Gouldian Finch
The Gouldian finch (Chloebia gouldiae) stands out with spectacular colors. Sadly, these rainbow-colored birds are endangered in Northern Australia due to habitat destruction and collection for the pet trade, although wild birds are now well-protected.
Gouldian finches use their strong conical bills to feed on seeds. These birds can become very tame, although they do not enjoy being handled. Like other finches, they are vocal little birds, but they have relatively soft voices that shouldn’t upset you or your neighbors.
Both sexes are beautiful, although the males are a little more colorful to impress their mates. The best way to tell them apart is to look at the purple band on their chest, which is usually lighter in females. These finches are available in a few color morphs too, including yellow, red, and black-headed varieties.
4. Java Finch
The Java finch (Lonchura oryzivora) is an attractive finch species from Southeast Asia. These distinctive birds have a long history as captive pets in their native Asia, and today they are found all over the world. However, they are banned in states like California because escaped birds can form wild populations.
These striking seed eaters are instantly recognizable by their chunky pink bills and bold black and white head plumage. They are among the largest finches (about twice the weight of zebra finches), although they are still smaller than most other cage bird species.
5. Owl Finch
The owl finch (Stizoptera bichenovii) is a boldly marked little bird with a long black tail and a black ring around its face. It is also known as the double-barred finch because it has a second black marking across its chest. Males and females look very similar although the breast bar is broader in adult males.
The owl finch is a good choice for beginners and will do best if kept with its own kind or with other small bird species. Like the Gouldian and zebra finches, these little birds originate in Australia.
6. Strawberry Finch
It’s easy to see how the strawberry finch (Amandava amandava) got its name. However, these attractive Asian finches can change their color quite dramatically during different seasons. The male develops bright red breeding (nuptial) plumage in the mating season but has paler grayish plumage like the female for the rest of the year.
These white-spotted finches are mostly vegetarian, although they will snack on small insects from time to time. They make good pets that can live for over ten years with good care and have the added benefit of a beautiful singing voice.
