Zebra finches are not for the novice bird owner. They are not for children under the age of 14. They live about 5 years and grow to be 3-5" long.
Finches love to have visual contact with people, however, typically do not like to be handled. Talking and whistling to your bird will provide them the interaction and socialization they need.
The soothing sounds of the male bird make the finch an entertaining pet.
Because a finch's metabolism is very active, starvation can occur in as little as 24 hours. Food should be available at all times.
There are multiple species of finches and some do not get along. Larger species of finches should not be housed in the same cage as smaller species.
Your finch will drop a lot of food while eating.
Don't forget that children, pets and unfamiliar guests should be supervised when interacting with your finch.
Before purchasing your bird, be aware that a Zebra finch requires a commitment of approximately five years.
Please remember that all pets may bite or scratch, and may transmit disease to humans. Keep your pet's home clean and wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning his home. Infants, young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and the infirm or elderly are at greater risk of infections and should use caution when in contact with the pet or its habitat. Consult your doctor for more information.
Feed your finch 1-2 teaspoons of a pellet or seed-based, fortified finch diet each day. Finches only eat off the top layer of the food dish, so if feeding seeds, be sure to check the food daily and remove empty seed hulls.
About 5-10% of a finch's diet should be bitesized fruits and veggies like apples, bananas, grapes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, dandelion, mustard greens and shredded carrots. Offer daily or every 2-3 days.
Provide a cuttle bone in your finch's cage at all times. Also, occasionally give your finch small mealworms.
Finches should always have access to clean, fresh water in a bottle or bowl.
*Remember that fresh food requires its own dish and should be removed from the habitat within four hours to avoid spoilage.
Signs your Zebra finch is healthy:
Clear, bright eyes
Clean, smooth feathers
Eats throughout the day
Normal droppings that are not runny for more than a couple of days
A curious and active disposition
Things to watch for:
Decreased appetite; weight loss
Decreased activity and grooming behavior
Sitting at the bottom of cage
Discharge from nose or mouth; sneezing
Feathers fluffed for prolonged periods of time
If you notice any of the signs described above, consult an Avian Veterinarian.
Finches like to fly, so when selecting a cage remember that length is better than height. Your finch's cage must be large enough for her to comfortably stretch her wings and
fly from perch to perch. The bigger the cage, the better. Minimum cage size is 12"W x 12"L x 15"H. More than two finches require a correspondingly larger cage.
Place two perches at different heights, so your finch will be unable to soil her food bowls. Provide perches of differing widths, diameters and textures to help keep her feet
healthy.
Place your bird's cage off the floor, away from drafts, open windows and the kitchen. Be aware that finches are sensitive to smoke and strong odors. Cover the cage at night
to prevent drafts.
Finches like to sleep in wicker nests. You can place clean grass hay or straw inside the cage and they will use it to line their nests. To avoid fights, there should be several more nests than birds inside the cage.
Provide a birdbath 2-3 times per week. Offer a warm water bath or gently mist her with warm water from a clean spray bottle.
It is important to clean you bird's containers every day, even if the bowl or bottle looks full.
