Finches prefer the company of other finches, in a cage at least 18 x 18 x 30 in (45 x 45 x 76 cm) by VCA. Feed each bird no more than a level teaspoon of seed a day, alongside pellets and greens.
How many finches?
Cage size
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Cage size
VCA’s two pages disagree. Its finch page asks for at least 18 x 18 x 30 in, and its small bird housing page gives 1 x 1 x 2 ft (30 x 30 x 60 cm) for finches, canaries and budgies. The finch page’s size is the bigger, safer one.
RSPCA Australia makes a cage long enough for at least two wing beats between perches, so the bird can fly from one to the next.
Bar spacing and mesh
The gaps must be too narrow for a finch to fit its head between the bars (RSPCA Australia, VCA). Merck’s bar spacing table has no row for finches. RSPCA Australia’s smallest listed mesh is 12 x 12 mm, about 0.47 in, for birds of 20 to 80 g. More on bird cage bar spacing.
Company
VCA describes finches as flighty, timid birds that prefer the company of other finches. Its list of the most commonly kept pet finches is the zebra, society, Lady Gould, owl, strawberry, java rice, spice and star finch. RSPCA names zebra finches among the birds that can be kept together, and adds 5% to the cage for each bird over two.
Everyday diet
VCA’s finch feeding page gives most finches no more than 1 level teaspoon of mixed seed per bird per day, in a shallow dish. The same page calls pellets the ideal diet for most birds, at least 70% of what they eat, with fruit, vegetables and greens at about 20%.
RSPCA says finches are often fed seed but would benefit from good quality pellets, and gives them fresh, washed greens such as dandelions, chickweed or groundsel. VCA says avocado and onions should never be fed to a bird.
What to get
On the list
What fits