Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Aftab Tariq
Finch birds are smaller birds in the Fringillidae family. They have a round beak made for eating seeds and nuts, and their feathers are often colorful. Small brown finch-like bird to medium-sized birds with colorful feathers and pointy beaks. Jennifer Niven says,
No more winter at all. Finch, you brought me spring.
They live in various places and have distinct calls when they fly. Some common North American finch types are redpolls, grosbeaks, crossbills, and siskins. There are many kinds of finches worldwide, each with its own special traits. But only a few of them can be kept as pets.
There are about 228 species of finch birds worldwide. Let’s explore the eleven varieties of finches that are found in North America.
Beautiful Finch Birds In The World
The most beautiful pet finch birds in the World include the Java Finch, Owl Finch (Double-barred Finch), Zebra Finch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Pin-tailed Parrotfinch, Red-cheeked Cordon Bleu, Diamond Firetail, European Goldfinch, Red-browed Finch, and the Gouldian Finch.
1: Owl Finch
The Owl Finch, also known as the Double-barred Finch, lives in dry savannas and tropical arid areas, mainly in the northern and eastern parts of Australia. It’s sometimes called Bicheno’s Finch or Owl Finch because it has a black ring of feathers around its face.
These pet finches usually hang out in groups of up to 40 birds and eat seeds from the ground. Sometimes, especially when they’re breeding, they’ll also eat insects.
People like to keep these beautiful birds in cages as pets. Right now, they’re not in danger, even though their numbers have dropped a bit on the east coast.
2: Java Sparrow
The Java sparrow, also called Java, used to live in places like Java, Bali, and Bawean in Indonesia, but now it’s gone from there. It’s a bird that loves to eat grains and seeds.
People used to think of it as helpful because it ate bugs in rice fields. For a long time, Java Sparrows have been loved as pet birds in Asia. They were popular in China during the Ming Dynasty and later in Japan from the 17th century.
People even painted and wrote about them. In the 1960s and 1970s, they were really popular as pets. But now, in California, it’s against the law to have them because they might harm farming.
However, in Asia, where rice is important, they’re not controlled because they’re not seen as a big problem.
3: Zebra Finch
The Zebra Finch is a very commonsmall bird found all across Central Australia and even on Timor Island. They live in places with nearby water sources and where there’s a lot of vegetation after rains.
They don’t like the really wet southern areas or the super tropical northern spots. People often keep them as pet birds. Male Zebra Finches start singing when they reach puberty, but the females can’t sing. This happens because of how they grow.
When male Zebra Finch babies are developing, they produce a hormone called testosterone, which changes into another hormone in their brains. This hormone helps them develop their singing abilities.
Scientists study these birds to learn more about how the brain works when learning things like songs, memory, and moving around.
4: Pin-Tailed Parrotfinch
The pin-tailed parrotfinch are Little finch birds that’s often seen in Southeast Asia. They live in places with mountains and wetlands, and they like to hang out in bamboo forests and rice fields. These birds don’t like the cold much, and they molt or shed their feathers twice a year.
Sometimes, when they’re kept as pets, their red feathers can turn yellow. Even though they’re pretty birds, some people consider them pests because they can cause a lot of damage to rice plants when they gather in big groups.
5: Eurasian Bullfinch
The Eurasian Bullfinch is a bird with a big head, gray feathers on its head, and a black-and-white beak. It’s also called the Common Bullfinch.
These birds make their homes all over Europe and in parts of Asia where there are lots of mixed forests and conifer trees. They like to nest in places like parks and gardens, too.
Some of them stick around all year, but many of the ones from the north fly south for the winter. Unlike some other kinds of finches, Eurasian Bullfinches don’t gather in big groups when it’s not breeding season.
You usually see them hanging out in small groups or with their families. Their song is a loud whistle that some people say sounds a bit sad.
6: Diamond Firetail Finch
The Diamond Firetail finch is a beautiful bird found a lot in Australia. It’s known for its vibrant feathers and is often considered one of the prettiest in the finch family. Because of their stunning looks, many people like to keep them as pets or around their farms to help with bugs.
But they can be a bit mean to other birds, so if you keep them with different types, you need to watch out. Sadly, their numbers are going down because of things like farms taking over their homes, cities spreading out, and predators eating their babies and eggs. People are worried they might become endangered if we don’t do something to help them.
7: Gouldian Finch
The Gouldian finch, also called the Lady Gouldian finch, is originally from Australia. Both males and females have vibrant colors with black, green, yellow, and red patterns.
One easy way to tell them apart is by looking at their chests males have purple chests, while females have lighter ones.
8: Red-Cheeked Cordon-Bleu Finch
The red-cheeked cordon-bleu finch is a small bird found in dry areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. It likes to live in open grasslands and sometimes near people. Even though it doesn’t need a fancy house, it prefers to perch on branches instead of building nests.
But it doesn’t like cold weather much. When it’s time to have babies, male finches can get pretty aggressive with each other. And if they feel threatened while sitting on their eggs, they might abandon their nest.
9: Reddish-Brown Finch
The Reddish-brown finch, also called the Red-browed firetail or Sydneywaxbill, lives along the eastern coast of Australia. You can usually find them in forests, savannas, or even tropical areas with mangroves. They like to hang out in small groups of 10 to 20 birds.
You can spot them easily by the bright red stripe above their eyes and a red patch on their chest. Their bodies are mostly grey with some olive and white feathers.
Lots of people like to keep them as pets because they’re common and easy to care for. Sometimes, they’re marked with other finches like starfinches, crimson finches, and zebra finches in captivity.
10: European Goldfinch
The European Goldfinch is a small bird found in Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Both males and females look alike, but males have a big red spot and a black mask around their eyes. People like to keep them as pets because they’re pretty and sing beautifully.
However, if they’re kept with other types of finches, they might start singing like them instead of their usual songs. This is liked less because it takes away from what makes European Goldfinches special.
11: House Finch
House Finches, renowned for their adaptability, vibrant plumage, and cheerful melodies, have become a familiar sight across the nation, gracing backyard feeders with their presence. Originally native to the Southwest, these charming birds made a remarkable journey to the East, thanks to the actions of New York pet shop owners in 1940. Facing legal consequences for their sales, these owners released their finches into the wild, inadvertently sparking a successful colonization effort.
Finch Birds As Pets
For individuals seeking avian companionship without the demands of caring for a parrot, finches offer the perfect solution. Unlike parrots, finches do not possess the ability to talk, making them a low-maintenance option.
These charming birds entertain their owners with their graceful aerial displays and endearing social interactions amongst themselves. With finches, enthusiasts can enjoy the pleasures of bird ownership without the need for hands-on interaction, making them an ideal choice for many pet lovers.
Finch Birds Nest
The nest of a Finch bird, such as the House Finch, is crafted into a delicate cup shape using a combination of fine stems, leaves, rootlets, thin twigs, string, wool, and feathers. This intricately constructed structure is meticulously lined with even finer materials, providing a cozy and secure environment for nesting and raising their young.
What Do Finches Eat In The Wild?
When it comes to Finch birds food, their diet primarily revolves around seeds.
Finch birds are particularly fond of a variety of seeds, with grass seeds being a favorite choice. However, it’s essential to ensure a balanced diet for these feathered friends, incorporating a mix of seeds, fruits, and vegetables to meet their nutritional needs.
Finch Birds For Sale
Finches are wonderful pets because they’re easy to take care of and don’t cost a lot. When you buy a finch,Finches bird price from $10 to $600, depending on the type of finch you choose.
You’ll also need to get a cage, food, and other supplies, which might add up to around $100 to $300. Some of these expenses are one-time purchases, while others you’ll need to keep buying regularly. It’s also important to budget for things like pet insurance and visits to the vet, which can range from $30 to $1,000.
Sources
Top 5 most beautiful pet finches
The Best Types of Finches To Have as Pets
Gouldian: the world’s most beautiful finch
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