Finch birds: types and maintenance at home

For the older generation, poultry for keeping in an apartment is limited to a few species of parrots and canaries, however, today the variety of pets can be much more impressive. Among the overseas birdies, finches enjoy noticeable popularity, which today can be found in almost every pet store.

In terms of biological classification, Amadines belong to the family of finch weavers, consisting of more than three dozen bird species. In the wild, they originally lived in the extreme southeast of Asia - in Indonesia and East Timor, it is also a native Australian species. Thanks to human efforts, today this birdie is much more widespread - now it can be found in the wild in Puerto Rico, the United States and even in Europe - in Portugal.

To understand why this particular bird is in demand among pet lovers, it is enough to briefly walk through its features.

• At first, finches are quite beautiful - they are not as colorful and bright as most parrots, which does not detract from their attractiveness.
• Secondly, such a pet does not require any outstanding conditions of detention and does not need complex care, and even reacts normally to living in captivity, without showing anything that he is uncomfortable.
• Thirdly, The cute tropical bird is highly fertile, which makes breeding easy and makes these birds one of the least expensive on the market.

Since we are talking about the beauty of finches, it is worth finding out how they look.Unlike many other birds, in this species, the visual differences between males and females are not so obvious, but in general, the variety of plumage shades is impressive - these birds are white, and brown, and fawn, and brighter colors like green, yellow, blue, red and purple. Males of finches of many varieties specially "dress up" for the mating season, attracting ladies with bright plumage, although in the rest of the year they look simpler.

Many poultry at one time were chosen for a pleasant voice, but the finch, to be honest, does not apply to sweet-voiced singers. At the same time, she has a voice, and such a pet may even seem quite noisy to someone.

The range of sounds made by a typical finch is very diverse., and, apparently, expresses various emotions of the feathered pet. There is a chirp in the arsenal, and it is quite pleasant, but it can be diluted with a loud whistle, which will not please lovers of silence. Typical for birdies and atypical for most birds sounds like hissing, buzzing and even a kind of grunt.

Globally, all types of finch weavers can be called finches, which means that more than 30 species of such animals are offered to the lover of domestic animals. In fairness, not all of them can be found in pet stores, and some, even in the wild, are quite rare. All this biological diversity differs from each other mainly in the color of the plumage and nothing else.

Only two species are especially popular as pets.

• Zebra finch, also known as zebra finch. This type is by far the most common. It got its name for its characteristic "zebra" color, which is found only on the birdie's chest. Otherwise, such a bird looks quite similar to an ordinary sparrow - it's not for nothing that they are distant relatives. In most cases, all descriptions regarding domestic finches are based on this particular bird species. These birds are distinguished by significant noise, while they dislike neighbors of other species and do not get along with them.

• Japanese finch. This pet is unusual in that it is not found in the wild at all - it is the result of human breeding. The bird came to Europe several centuries ago and has become a rather popular pet since the 18th century. Such a birdie does not shine with bright plumage - it is sustained in brown-white tones, and even the beak is not red, but bluish-black. This pet is relatively quiet, its maintenance is also appropriate if you do not need regular emergence of new chicks - the females of this hybrid are completely sterile, but not devoid of maternal instinct and can feed young animals of other species.

All other finches are much less common at home, and therefore can be considered a source of pride for their owner. The relatively common species include Malabar and Muscat finches, red-throated and pointed-tailed, brilliant, scaly and red-headed finches.

If you are chasing really colorful and bright birds, finches are most likely not the best choice for you, much inferior in this component to parrots.If we talk about the widespread Japanese finch, then it does not stand out at all with an interesting color - it is characterized by typical passerine colors, a birdie with a black beak, accidentally encountered on the street, is not even perceived as a fugitive from a cage.

With the zebra finch, which is rightfully considered the most popular, the situation is somewhat more interesting. With the general coloring in all the same colors, it has a characteristic pattern on the body, and even stands out with a clearly visible red-orange beak. In her plumage, other, brighter shades are possible, but it cannot be said that the bird is brightly colored and can be considered an example of saturated colors.

We mentioned above that, in general, finches can be characterized by plumage of almost any color, including attractive bright ones. This is true, but then, apparently, it is worth looking for rarer species of such birdie. In many cases, the type of finch is named according to its coloring, and given that there are more than 30 species of these small birds, if you really want to, you can always find a colorful pet that matches your ideas about bird beauty.

Amadines are rightly considered some of the least whimsical poultry, but still they need certain conditions for living, at least in the form of a properly selected cage. Experts pay attention to the fact that it should not be round, like parrots - the fact is that due to the lack of corners, the pet becomes confused, he cannot understand which direction to move, and because of this he panics.

Besides, the size of the dwelling for birds must be sufficient to frolic - such a bird is distinguished by noticeable mobility, and therefore half a meter in all basic parameters (length, width, height) is the minimum.

Despite equatorial origin, finches do not like heat - the fact that they originally lived in the shade of dense trees affects. The optimum temperature for them is about 20 degrees Celsius, so you will have to look for a cool place in the apartment, choosing it so that the coolness is not caused by an ordinary draft. The humidity level should also ideally be stable - at the level of 60-70%. The bird nest should not be located on the floor - it is advisable to place the bottom of the cage 50 centimeters from it. The floor should be covered with a layer of sand.

Amadin is usually not kept alone - they love the company of their own kind. If you feed different types of food to feathered brethren, make sure that there is a separate feeder for each type of food. For stability, such an accessory must have a wall height of 2.5 cm, it is usually installed between the perches.

A convenient closed-type drinker with constant access to fresh water is also required. There is no rain at home, but in the wild, finches would appreciate rainfall, so bird breeding experts advise once a week arrange bathing for these birds with a sprayer and water at room temperature.

Since in nature finches live in dense tropical forests with an abundance of branches and foliage, decorative swing and perches will be important not only from an aesthetic, but also from a practical point of view.According to the same logic, artificial houses will be in demand, which successfully replace tree hollows for birdies and delight the eyes of the owners and their guests.

note that this bird is one of the shy ones, so you need to behave with restraint with it: avoid loud sounds and sudden movements, carefully bring new people, do not extinguish or turn on a bright light too abruptly. All these situations plunge the finches into panic, they begin to rush hysterically around the cage, and, given their fragility, this can end very badly for pets.

For the same reason no other pets with predatory habits should be allowed to enter the room where birds are kept - although they will not be able to penetrate the cage, the very attempts to attack will bring the birds to a pulp.

One of the main responsibilities of the owner of finches is to keep the cage clean. For this reason, potential owners of such pets are advised to choose cells of the simplest design - this usually helps to simplify the task and get it done without any extra effort. Routine cleaning involves washing all surfaces inside the cage with hot water or even scalding them with boiling water. It is advisable to change the sand in the pallet once a week.

When breeding finches at home, it is advisable to have not only the main, but also a spare cage. Only in this way will you be able to fully clean the bird's dwelling, especially since once a month it is necessary to carry out not just cleaning, but a whole disinfection of the cage - if you ignore this requirement, you risk creating a breeding ground for parasites, among which are different types of ticks. Disinfection involves first cleaning according to the above method, and then additional rinsing with a special solution, followed by rinsing.

Suitable as disinfectants 2% solution of carbolic acid or chloramine in the same concentration, disinsectal is also in demand, but in all cases, you should carefully read the instructions and follow the recommended precautions when working with these substances. Chamomile in powder form or feverfew are also considered effective remedies - they are simply poured onto a pallet, covered with a sheet of plain paper and then a layer of sand.

The owner, who seeks to care for his pets according to all the rules, must acquire a certain set of tools:

• a scoop is needed to dose the sand in the cage and remove old dirt;
• a set of brushes and brushes will allow you to make sure that disinfectant solutions get even to hard-to-reach crevices;
• a rubber bulb for the same purposes;
• scraper for scrubbing stubborn and frozen dirt.

Drinking bowls and bathing bowls tend to darken over time - microscopic algae settle on their walls, which is also not very good. It is easier to deal with them than one might think - you just need to add coarse-grained edible salt or millet to the container, pour half of it with water and shake well when closed. After that, the container is once again rinsed with clean water, and it immediately takes on its original appearance.

The main food for home finches is a grain mixture, which you can not buy in stores, but prepare yourself. Its composition should include 6-8 components, but millet is at the heart: for 1 kilogram of such grain, you should take 300 grams of canary seed, 150 grams of oatmeal in the form of cereals, 100 grams of lettuce, hemp, rapeseed and mohar, as well as 50 grams flax seeds and 20 more - seeds of any other herbs growing in the meadow.

Amadins are not voracious birds: each birdie needs to be given only one teaspoon of such a mixture per day, and the calculation of the dosage is greatly simplified by the fact that feeding is carried out only once a day. At the same time, a caring owner should include in the diet of birds and more valuable vitamin supplements of natural origin, for example, slices of bananas or crumbled dandelions. You can also give other fruits with berries, as well as vegetables and herbs.

As befits most birds, finch feeds not only on plant food - she also does not refuse live food... During the breeding season, it is literally necessary for these birdies, so the owner should think about periodically treating his pets with bloodworms and other similar foods.

In winter, finches, like the people who breed them, may experience a certain lack of vitamins and minerals, so experts advise including sprouted cereals in their diet. Cottage cheese and hard-boiled eggs will also not be superfluous in the everyday menu of home weavers.

In addition, finches, like any other bird, need mineral feeding, without which, in particular, there cannot be eggs with a sufficiently strong shell. For these purposes, even ordinary sand is suitable, which is already present in the cell, but for a change, you can also give shell rock or crushed eggshells.

Amadina is considered a tame bird - you can even pick it up if you first get used to it. Initially, the bird is rather shy, therefore, when approaching the cage for any purpose, you should avoid sudden movements and loud noises. If everything is done correctly, over time the bird will get used to the fact that you do not pose a danger to it - then it will even be possible to pick it up to stroke it.

You can understand whether the finch is ready for close contact with the owner by her behavior. Suspecting you that you are a danger, the birdie will not sing - this is how it tries to be invisible, without attracting the attention of a potential predator. If the pet chirps, it means that you are no longer a threat to him, although you still need to be careful with him.

One of the main reasons for the crazy popularity of finches is the simplicity of their breeding at home - thanks to this, each owner can try himself in the role of a breeder and achieve success, even without any special experience and opportunities.

Puberty in finches begins approximately at 2–3 months, but you should not immediately demand continuation of offspring from birdies. On the contrary, it is better to postpone it until the age of 5–6 months, otherwise laying eggs will be a difficult test for the female, and the result may be her insufficient weight gain and breeding frail, unviable offspring.

A pair of finches will gladly give you offspring if you create the necessary conditions for nesting... To do this, it is worth hanging a special nesting house in the cage, the typical dimensions of which are 20x12 centimeters. By itself, it is not a nest yet - future parents must themselves build a dwelling on its basis from willow twigs, hay, and so on. Give them the opportunity to exercise their instincts: provide access to feathers, chopped old loofah, sawdust and dry grass.

Beware of giving cotton wool - it is not suitable for building a nest and is even dangerous for weavers. When all the conditions for breeding are provided, provide one more, irreplaceable - complete silence and tranquility.

The clutch size of a female finch is 2–6 small testicles, which are hatched alternately by both representatives of the pair. The incubation period is very short - approximately two weeks after laying the eggs, small and completely naked chicks will already appear.

The extreme simplicity of breeding finches also lies in the fact that the owners do not take any action to care for the chicks. Their task is simply to provide adult birds with a sufficient amount of a variety of food and water, as well as to guarantee peace and quiet, while all the main concerns are completely on the shoulders of the feathered parents.

Babies grow as fast as they hatch out as eggs - already three weeks after hatching, the young begin to leave the nest more and more confidently, and soon the adult birds stop feeding it. At this moment, young people can be considered an adult - they can be separated from their parents and even given to their own acquaintances.

Amadin is described as friendly and rather shy birds, but it happens that the birdie bites the owner's hand, although it has not previously shown hostility to it. There can be a lot of reasons for this behavior - consider all of them.

• If the cage is installed above eye level, the bird, no matter how strange it may sound, feels its superiority over a person and allows itself to attack him. This is one of the few situations that can be easily corrected - you just need to move the cage somewhere below.
• Aggression of a pet can be caused by stress or fear experienced by him - having hammered into his head that her life is in danger, the finch will perceive any inclinations against him as an attack. If you inadvertently scared the birdies, they will not calm down soon - it will take two weeks for them to return to their normal state. During all this time, it is better to disturb the pets to a minimum - even the cleaning will have to be postponed until later.
• Hand pecking is often found in young animals - this is nothing more than curiosity and an attempt to learn about the world around them. It is curious that the cry of a person from surprise and pain can be perceived by the bird as encouragement, because the bites will continue and become more and more painful. If you don't stop reacting like that at the initial stage, over time, the finch will develop a habit, and then you will not change it. In addition, sometimes the baby just tries to climb the "strange branch", and you, pulling back your hand, only provoke the bird to act more nimbly.

Another common problem is that birds fight and pluck each other's feathers. Under normal conditions, they do not behave this way, which means that their aggression is provoked by a lack of something, for example, free space, lighting, access to the same bathing suits. Any deficiencies in content, including heat or dry air, lead to fights. It is noticed that high calorie counts or soft foods that are effortless to absorb help finches build aggression.

In addition, enmity can arise between representatives of different species, representatives of the same sex, competing for the attention of the opposite sex (especially if it is absent at all), and birds of very different ages. The attacked bird usually hisses at the offenders. It happens that finches are aggressive for no apparent reason - then the matter lies in the psyche, and the individual needs to be isolated.

Compared to most other poultry, such as the canary, cockatiel, budgerigar, the finch rightly seems less whimsical: all she needs is timely, but at the same time, rather rare feeding and maintaining the correct temperature and humidity. Cleaning during the molting period can be a certain difficulty in caring for it - feathers fall out and can fly around the apartment if not collected.

At the same time, the insanely active finch, unlike all other birds, is not recommended to be released from the cage, even if the room is tightly closed. The fact is that this swift and fearful bird will do everything so that you do not catch it again, and on its way it can meet sudden noises and other frightening factors that will panic the birdie and make it rush, risking injury.

Owners in most cases speak positively about keeping finches at home - it's not for nothing that this bird has conquered all pet stores. In care, they are extremely simple, and the possible difficulties that were described above are relatively rare and not relevant if your cage contains only one bird, although solitary keeping is not too good for a pet.

For information on how to maintain and care for finches at home, see the next video.