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- Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
- Kategorie: Lebensstil
- Sprache: Englisch
Explore the wide world of finches Finches For Dummies is your entry into the fascinating world of finches. Canaries are probably the most well-known type of finch, but finches are a widely diverse species of birds. They actually encompass several hundred different types of birds, including Gouldians, goldfinches, zebra finches, and owl finches. They also come in an amazing variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Some are very vocal; some are not. How you care for your finch depends on its species, size, and temperament. But no need to stress. Finches For Dummies is here to help you find the perfect feathered friend! This practical guide sets you up to become a responsible finch caretaker. Inside, you'll find information on: * Feeding your finches and keeping them healthy * Choosing the ideal enclosure and supplies for your finches * Adjusting to finch life with children or other pets * Breeding your finches With the advice and tips in Finches For Dummies, you and your pet finches can maintain a fun and thriving relationship for a long time. If you're interested in adopting one of these amazing birds, pick up a copy!
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Seitenzahl: 206
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021
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Finches For Dummies®, 2nd Edition
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Copyright © 2022 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2021944962
ISBN 978-1-119-75531-9 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-75532-6 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-75393-3 (ebk)
Finches For Dummies®
To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “Finches For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Part 1: Introducing Finches
Chapter 1: Finches: More Than Just Pretty, Chatty Birds
Where Finches Come From
The Life of a Wild Finch
The Many Species of Finches
Anatomy of a Finch
Chapter 2: Are Finches Your Perfect Companions?
Knowing What to Expect from Finches
Knowing What Your Finches Expect from You
Deciding Whether a Finch Is Right for You
How Many Finches Are Right for You?
Chapter 3: Selecting Species of Companion Finches
Choosing Finches: Exploring Your Options
Chapter 4: Finding and Selecting Finches
Choosing Finches: Exploring Your Options
Finding a Finch
Searching for a Healthy Finch
Housing Finches Together
Part 2: Caring for Your Finches
Chapter 5: Home Tweet Home: Preparing for Your Finches and Bringing Them Home
Your Finches’ New Home
Accessorizing Your Finches’ Abode
Keeping Mess Away
Setting up the Cage
Finch-Proofing Your Home
Traveling Safely from Store to Home
Chapter 6: Caring for Your Finches
Water: Extremely Essential
Knowing What Your Finch Should (and Shouldn’t) Eat
Fun Finch Food Recipes
Helping Your Finches Get the Exercise They Need
Getting a Good Night’s Sleep: Putting Your Finch to Bed
Grooming Your Finch
Can’t We All Just Get Along? Living with Other Pets
Cleaning Your Finches’ Housing
Chapter 7: Come Here Often? Getting to Know Your Finches
Understanding Finch Behavior
Finch Communication
Handling Your Finch Safely
Taming Your Finch
Part 3: Training and Breeding Your Finches
Chapter 8: Keeping Your Finches Healthy and Handling Emergencies
The Veterinarian: Your New BFF (Bird Friend Forever)
What a Healthy Finch Looks Like
Signs of Sick Finches
Common Finch Ailments
Emergencies: Knowing When to Get Help Immediately
What to Do if Your Bird Is Lost
Assembling a First-Aid Kit
What to Do If Your Bird Dies
Chapter 9: Breeding Your Finches
Breeding Your Finches
Knowing What to Do When Something Goes Wrong
Discouraging Breeding
Part 4: The Part of Tens
Chapter 10: Ten Great Finch Websites
Chapter 11: Ten Fun DIY Toys for Finches
Index
About the Author
Connect with Dummies
End User License Agreement
List of Illustrations
Chapter 1
FIGURE 1-1: Canaries are among the most popular types of finch.
FIGURE 1-2: The anatomy of a finch.
Chapter 2
FIGURE 2-1: An adult must always supervise a child around finches.
Chapter 3
FIGURE 3-1: This crested canary has been bred to have a mop-top of feathers on ...
FIGURE 3-2: These cordon-bleu finches are enjoying a bath outdoors.
FIGURE 3-3: Gouldian finches are prized for their rainbow-like plumage.
FIGURE 3-4: Java finches come in a variety of mutations, including white.
FIGURE 3-5: Owl finches make great aviary companions.
FIGURE 3-6: Society finches are more than just little brown birds.
FIGURE 3-7: Spice finches are pretty little birds that can be good for someone ...
FIGURE 3-8: The pin-tailed whydah male grows a gorgeous, long tail during breed...
FIGURE 3-9: A male and a female zebra finch.
Chapter 4
FIGURE 4-1: This baby zebra finch looks nothing like its beautiful parents, but...
FIGURE 4-2: Your finches’ eyes should be alert, bright, and free from debris.
FIGURE 4-3: This Java finch and zebra finch can be housed peaceably together if...
Chapter 5
FIGURE 5-1: The mesh that makes up this cage is the correct size for these male...
FIGURE 5-2: Your finches will enjoy natural wooden perches of varying sizes.
FIGURE 5-3: This white Java finch is enjoying its time among natural, nontoxic ...
FIGURE 5-4: Finches love bathing, like this red-billed firefinch.
Chapter 6
FIGURE 6-1: Do not to cut into the quick when you trim your bird’s nails.
Chapter 7
FIGURE 7-1: These Java finches enjoy roosting for the night in their nest.
FIGURE 7-2: This Gouldian finch is sleeping with his head tucked onto his back,...
FIGURE 7-3: This Java finch’s guardian has hand-tamed this feathered friend.
Chapter 8
FIGURE 8-1: This canary has an eye issue that needs to be addressed by an avian...
FIGURE 8-2: A veterinarian examines this canary that has inflammation around it...
Chapter 9
FIGURE 9-1: This zebra finch nestling may need to be handfed if its parents hav...
Guide
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Table of Contents
Begin Reading
Index
About the Author
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Introduction
Finches are charming companions, adding a little bit of life to an empty corner of any home. Whether you plan on having just a pair, or would like a whole aviary full, finches offer a glimpse into the natural world, and give owners hours of watching and listening pleasure. They are easy to care for, relatively quiet, and some are prettier than a rainbow. What more could you ask for in a birdy friend?
About This Book
Finches For Dummies is a book I wrote for people interested in finches. Maybe you just bought finches or a canary and need the essential scoop on getting set up as well as general care information. Or, you may already have finches and you need a refresher on the best way to take care of your companions or want to understand them better. Perhaps you’re ready for a new feathered friend but aren’t sure if finches are right for you and your family. If any of the above describes you, keep on readin’.
As you read, keep an eye out for text in italics, which indicates a new term and a nearby definition — no need to spend time hunting through a glossary. And monofont points out web addresses for additional information worth checking out. You'll also run into a few sidebars (the occasional gray box); although the information in the sidebars is good, it’s not essential to the discussion at hand, so skip ’em if you want to.
Foolish Assumptions
In writing Finches For Dummies, I made some assumptions about my readers:
You’re one of the millions of people who wants finches or who has a family member who wants one (or more) and you’ve come to this book to learn about their care.
You already have a canary or some finches, maybe a pair or a flock, and you want to brush up on finch care and learn a few things that you don’t already know.
Maybe you’re a volunteer at a bird shelter or rescue and you want to be able to educate your adopters more thoroughly.
Perhaps you want to begin breeding these popular little birds and want some information on how to make that process go smoothly.
Whatever the case, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned finch guardian, there’s something in this book for you.
Icons Used in This Book
While reading Finches For Dummies, be on the lookout for these icons, sprinkled here and there:
This icon flags tips and tricks that will help you be the best finch friend you can be.
This icon points out information that’s so important you’ll want to be sure to remember it.
This icon highlights information on things that could harm you or your finches.
This icon flags information that you can use to impress your friends with your amazing bird knowledge, but it isn’t absolutely necessary, so don’t feel the need to memorize it.
Beyond the Book
You can find a little more helpful finches-related information on https://www.dummies.com, where you can peruse this book’s Cheat Sheet. To get this handy resource, go to the website and type Finches For Dummies Cheat Sheet in the Search box.
Where to Go from Here
Finches For Dummies is a reference, so you don’t have to read it in order from start to finish. Begin with Chapter 5 if you need basic setup information, flip to Chapter 9 if you’re thinking about breeding finches, or head to Chapter 2 if you’re still on the fence about adding finches to your family. (Although those of you who prefer to start at the beginning and read until you reach the back cover are welcome to do so. I’ll never tell.)
Part 1
Introducing Finches
IN THIS PART …
Finding out if finches are perfect for you
Exploring the various species of finches
Finding the right finches for your family
Chapter 1
Finches: More Than Just Pretty, Chatty Birds
IN THIS CHAPTER
Knowing what a finch is
Understanding finch anatomy
Looking at the different varieties of finches
Getting in touch with finch clubs and societies
The term finch is actually a very broad term, encompassing hundreds of species and subspecies, from canaries to sparrows. In general, finches are small songbirds that come in an amazing variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. They all have short, cone-shaped bills adapted to the type of food they typically eat. All finches are seed eaters, but most will eat other vegetation and insects as well.
Finches have been kept as companions for hundreds of years. The Chinese and Japanese have been breeding finches since the 1600s — for example, the society finch (also known as the Bengalese finch) is not found in the wild because it was developed (domesticated) by humans, much as breeds of dogs were. It’s also one of the most widely kept finches today. The canary is the oldest domesticated bird, having been bred in captivity for many centuries, and, like dogs, bred for certain traits, such as color, feather type, or song (its ancestor, the serin finch, is still found in the wild in the Canary Islands). Finches that have a long history with humans do very well as companion birds. They tend to be hardier and less skittish than other types of birds, who haven’t been around the bird scene for as long.
In the following sections, I show you what makes a finch a finch.
Where Finches Come From
Because they comprise such a large group, finches are found in every corner of the world. Even the Galapagos Islands are home to 13 species of finches, all of which were studied by famed British naturalist, Charles Darwin. The finch was one of the animals used in Darwin’s theory of natural selection, which posits that ecological and social pressures can actually change an animal’s physiology.
If you’re reading this in the United States, you can only keep finches that aren’t native to North America. This goes for all birds, actually. If a bird is native to North America, housing it is illegal unless you have a permit or are a licensed bird rescuer. Birds that fall into this category include the American goldfinch, the cardinal, and the pine siskin, among others.
Most of the companion finches available for purchase are native to other countries but were bred in captivity where you live. As of 1992, it is illegal to import birds from other countries under the Wild Bird Conservation Act.
The Life of a Wild Finch
Some finches are very social by nature. They live and forage in flocks, sometimes numbering into the hundreds. This is why people rarely keep finches alone — with the exception of the canary, who likes company only during breeding season, and otherwise does not prefer a cagemate. Most finches do not do well unless they are in a pair or a flock. Wild finches feed mostly on grass and weed seeds, and eat insects as well, usually during the breeding season, and feed them to their young. They sleep in soft nests at night, even when not breeding. As a small, defenseless prey bird, they rely heavily on their senses and their quickness for survival.
Finches will pair off within a flock. These are generally mating pairs, although not always. Occasionally, two males — or two females — will choose to become companions. Pairings do not always last for life, but while they are together, pair companions stay very close to one another within the flock. They forage together, groom each other, and nest together at night.
Most finches are monogamous, but some, like the orange weaver, keep a harem and will chase off other males who try to invade their territory. Other finches, such as the whydah, are considered parasitic, laying their eggs in other birds’ nests so that those birds can take over incubation and rearing duties. They rely on these other birds the way parasites rely on other animals to survive.
The Many Species of Finches
One of the more fascinating things about finches is their seeming endless variety. They range from very delicate to very hardy birds, in all colors of the rainbow. Some are drab and others are exceptionally vivid. Many species are dimorphic, which means that you can distinguish the gender of the bird just by looking at it. Others are monomorphic, which means that you can’t visually distinguish the genders of the birds.
All finches are scientifically grouped under the order Passeriformes. Passerines (which is what birds in the Passeriformes order are called) comprise more than half of the bird species in the world, with nearly 5,400 members. Not all Passerines are finches, but all finches are Passerines.
Though no one expects you to become an ornithologist (someone who studies birds), in order to provide a good home for your companion finches, it can be helpful to understand where your bird is classified in the scheme of things. Here are the four different groups of finches:
Fringillidae:
The more than 200 (some sources say 227) members of this group are often called the “true” finches. This family includes the canaries, chaffinches, some siskins, rosefinches, goldfinches, and bullfinches. These finches are adapted to crush seeds and, as a result, they have strong skulls and jaws. These finches are found on all continents.
Passeridae:
This group of around 40 finches includes sparrows and snowfinches. Formerly found only in Europe and the surrounding areas, these finches have now been introduced to habitats all over the world. Two types of Passeridae are commonly found in the United States, including the house sparrow. As a group, they are hardy and gregarious songbirds.
Estrildidae:
Included in this group of around 140 birds are some the most popular companion finches, including grass finches, parrot finches, waxbills, society finches, greenfinches, serins, firefinches, firetails, quailfinches, Gouldian finches, mannikins, nuns, munias, Java sparrows, cordon-bleu finches, cut throats, and zebra finches. The majority of finches in this group are from a temperate climate, preferring warm weather. They tend to be flocking birds and are all seed-eaters.
Ploceidae:
This group has approximately 120 members, including the whydahs (also called widowbirds) and weavers (also called bishops). They are found primarily in Africa and India and can be more aggressive in their response to other birds than some of the more commonly kept species.
One of the longest domesticated and most popular varieties of finch is the well-known canary (see Figure 1-1). Canaries come in a variety of colors, from bright yellow, like the famous Tweety Bird, to brown, gray, orange, white, and variegated (having either regular or uneven dark markings). Canaries are delicate birds, originally from the Canary Islands, and have been a popular companion in Europe since the 16th century, perhaps even earlier.
FIGURE 1-1: Canaries are among the most popular types of finch.
Most people buy a canary for his beautiful song. The males are the singers of the species, and they’re generally the gender that you’ll keep if you want to hear singing in your home. The females can make great companions too, but they won’t launch into song the way a male will.
The canary’s song depends largely on the type of canary that you choose. Some canaries sing a variety of songs, whereas others are trained only to sing in a certain manner. Yes, canaries have to be trained to sing. Many breeders keep an “expert” singer, a canary with a particularly masterful song, in a cage within earshot of young males. The youngsters will learn from this maestro and, hopefully, pick up the essentials of beautiful singing. Some interesting research has shown that birds can actually learn songs when they are developing inside the egg! Don’t worry if you don’t have a master singer to teach the young males their trade; CDs and audio files of canary songs work just as well (you can buy these online or play them for free on YouTube).
Size differences
Finches can vary in size from about 3 inches in length to about 8 inches in length. Some finches are very tiny, such as the gold-breasted waxbill, measuring in at under 3 inches. The whydah, who is only 5 inches in length, has a tail that can reach 15 inches long during breeding season.
I SEE YOUR TRUE COLORS SHINING THROUGH …
Some canaries, like the red factor canary shown in the figure below, turn various shades of red and orange if they’re fed a special color food or water additive made for red factor canaries only. It’s the only way for a red factor canary to achieve colors ranging from magenta to bright orange to strawberry red.
Don’t feed your other types of canaries the color food, as their color will not change because of it. Only the red factor has the genetic predisposition to show what it eats though its feathers, much like flamingos and roseate spoonbills, which pick up their pink coloration from the crustaceans that they eat. Color feeding is usually done during a molt, when new feathers are growing in. If you don’t want to color feed with commercially prepared products, you can feed your red factor canary beets, cherries, red and orange peppers, carrots, cayenne pepper, paprika, and other red and orange fruits and veggies to help maintain their color.
Temperament differences
In terms of companion quality, most finches are the same. Some are more skittish than others, but for the most part, they all make wonderful companions. Some can be more demanding in terms of nutritional needs or housing, and others are far easier, such as the zebra, society, or owl finch.
Finches aren’t aggressive toward children or other pets. The reverse is far more likely to be true. However, some species of finches are aggressive toward other species of finches, and all varieties of finches will have more of a tendency toward aggression during the breeding season.
If you’re going to keep a large aviary (a home for birds that’s large enough for an adult human to walk into), and you wish to have more than one species represented, do some research ahead of time to find out which species will be most likely to get along. For example, weavers are quite aggressive and the males will hurt, or even kill, other species and other males of their own species. Society finches, on the other hand, get along so well that more than a dozen of them will try to crunch themselves into one nest to sleep for the night.
Most of the time, finches will shy away from human contact. Taming a finch to appreciate human contact is possible, but that depends a great deal upon the individual finch and will usually require more patience and effort than most bird guardians are willing to devote. Remember that your companion finch is a very delicate creature and easily frightened. Too sudden a shock or fright can be fatal to your little friend. However, you can find many adorable videos online of hand-tamed finches.
