What Should I Consider before I Buy a Finch?

A finch is a good pet option if you want a bird, but don’t have the time to devote to a parrot or other high-maintenance pet. The main factors that you should take into consideration before you buy a finch include the bird’s lifespan, its social needs versus your expectations, and the costs associated with owning a pet finch. If you have other types of birds, you will also want to make sure they will get along with your new finch.

The lifespan of a finch — about four to seven years — is fairly short compared to other types of birds, especially compared to parrots. This is important to take into account before you buy a finch, especially if you are looking for a long-term pet bird. In rare cases, finches can live longer than expected, with reports of them living longer than 10 years, but these examples are exceptions rather than a standard rule.

Unlike social birds like parakeets and cockatiels, finches prefer to be left alone for the majority of the time. Before you buy a finch, you should decide if you are okay with having a pet bird that doesn’t enjoy a significant amount of interaction with you. Some finches can be trained to sit on your shoulder or finger, but they are not as easy to train as other birds may be. On the other hand, this can be beneficial if you do not have a lot of time to devote to playing with your bird.

Before you buy a finch, you will need to consider the overall cost of ownership. The cost of the bird itself and the cage are typically the most expensive upfront fees, but you will also need to purchase seed and other supplies on a regular basis. Finch seed is generally not too costly, and a large bag can last several months. Some veterinarians recommend adding vitamins to your finch’s water as well. Other supplies include cage deodorizers, toys, and treats.

Although finches do not enjoy socializing with people, they do prefer to have another finch nearby, so you may want to consider buying two at the same time. If you already have other birds, ask an expert about any potential compatibility issues before you buy a finch. Some types of finches do not do well with other types, and experts recommend against putting two of the same color together in a cage. If you do put two in a cage, make sure both birds have enough room to spread out their wings and exercise.