|
|
 |
|
|
|
SPECIES
DESCRIPTION |
|
|
| |
 |
Commonly kept: Zebra finch, Gouldian finch, society finch, cordon-bleu, red-cheeked cordon-bleu
Order: “Finch” is a general term to describe birds in the order Passeriformes, which belong to one of four separate families. The most commonly kept finches are from the family Estrildidae, which are species that are native to tropical areas of Africa, Asia and Australia.
Species: Poephila guttata (zebra) Chloebia gouldiae (Gouldian); Lonchura domestica (society finch, also called Bengalese finch); Uraeginthus angolensis (cordon bleu); Uraeginthus bengalus (red-cheeked cordon bleu)
Native continents: Australia, Indonesia, Madagascar, southern Asia
Probable lifespan: 8 years
Personality: These are social birds, especially the society finch, and they often sit closely together. They have a pleasant song, and most owners enjoy watching them interact with one another.
Housing: Finches are usually kept in pairs in aviaries (must be compatible species), flights or large cages with appropriate bar spacing. Finches fly back and forth, so a wide cage is preferred to a tall cage. Multiple perches are a must.
Behavior issues: Finches can be aggressive with one another, especially if housed in an aviary or cage with other finch species. Finches are also prone to panic attacks.
Medical issues: Egg-binding, mites, overgrown toel nails and beaks, respiratory problems, constipation, overgrown or crossed bill
Unusual characteristics: A hand-reared finch can be socialized to perch on a person’s finger or to fly to its owner. Some finch owners report that their finches can utter a word or two.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
