Basic Guidelines

It’s important to remember that finch species vary in their nutritional needs.  While many will thrive on the basic diets described below, to achieve optimal health and color the addition of insects, sprouts, fruit, greens and other supplementary foods will be necessary.  Depending upon the species, some of these foods can also be used to bring birds into breeding condition.  Please post your questions concerning diets for specific finches below, and I’ll provide some suggestions.

Pellet Diets

Pellet-based diets have achieved popularity among parrot keepers and in zoos, but are less commonly used for finches.  Their main advantage lies in the fact that birds are prevented from selecting favorite items, as can be done when a variety of seeds is offered.  Assuming the product is well-made, birds on pellet diets may consume a more complete diet than those relying upon seeds.  Unfortunately, finches are often slow to take pellets.  Fruit flavors are commonly used to encourage acceptance.

ZuPreem Fruit Blend Canary and Finch Food

This well-researched pellet offers excellent nutrition and is enriched with 21 vitamins and minerals.  Grapes, bananas and oranges, which are favored by many finches, are used to flavor the pellets.

Kaytee Exact Rainbow for Canaries and Finches

Kaytee pellets include dried beet pulp, which may enhance certain feather colors, along with whole eggs for additional protein.

Zoo Vital Canary and Finch Food

This product is unique in that it contains 5 strains of probiotic bacteria, which may increase digestibility.  Bananas, pineapple and papaya add additional nutrients and flavor.

Seed Diets

Seed-based diets have been in use for hundreds of years, and are still the most common foods for captive finches and canaries.  While individual species’ needs differ, a wide variety of ingredients (in addition to the basics – i.e. various millets, canary grass seed) should be included.

L&M Bonanza Canary and Finch Gourmet Diet

Fifteen different seeds, grains and dried fruits and vegetables assure birds a variety of beneficial nutrients.  Extra vitamins and minerals are also included, so check the ingredients against any supplements you might use to avoid overlap.

Pretty Bird Premium Food for Canaries and Finches

This diet includes 10 seed varieties and was formulated to meet the high energy demands and fiber requirements of most finches.  Dried fruits and vegetables are not included.

Vitakraft’s Sunseed Vita for Finches

Nigerthistle and 9 other seeds, along with dried pineapple, carrot, papaya, coconut and apples, ensure good basic nutrition for most species.

Supplementary Foods

Millet Sprays

Millet sprays are 8-10 inch long stems with seeds attached, which can be hung from cage bars, perches and toys.  All finches and canaries enjoy millet, but the real value of sprays is the exercise and enrichment they provide.  Birds typically become very excited when presented with sprays, much more so than when feeding from a bowl.

Higgins Egg Food

Egg Food (whole dried eggs, vegetable protein, and oats) is an ideal way of meeting your birds’ protein requirements.  Protein is not given much attention in finch diets, but is especially important at molting time and during the breeding season. 

Pretty Bird Softbill Select

This food is intended as a staple diet for toucans, mynas,Pekinrobins and other softbills, but serves well as a supplementary food for finches and canaries.  I used softbill pellets as an “insurance item” in the diets of a great many seed-eating birds under my care at the Bronx Zoo.  Softbill Select is a soft pellet that contains 12 fruits and vegetables, including spinach, broccoli, dates, sweet potatoes and others that are not commonly included in finch diets. 

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook.  Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable.  I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

Avicultural Journal: Lesser-known seeds for finches

Balanced Diets for FinchesInteresting perspective from a breeder

Feeding Finches: Tips and Special Considerations

Double-barred Finch image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by DickDaniels
Wedge-tailed Grass Finch and Hooded Siskin images referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Dario Sanchez

Post from: That Bird Blog


The Best Finch and Canary Foods – Commercial Seed and Pellet Diets

Pellet Pros and Cons

Great progress has been made in the development of pelleted parrot foods in recent years, and they now play an important role in both zoo and pet parrot care.  However, the convenience offered by pellets may lead one into poor bird-keeping habits.  Ideally, as mentioned in the articles below, a species-appropriate combination of natural and pelleted foods should be provided.

Providing a complete diet based on seeds, nuts, fruits, nectar, insects and other natural foods is difficult and time consuming (I find it interesting as well, but not everyone agrees!).  In addition, it can be difficult – maddeningly so at times – to induce parrots to eat “what they should”.  Diets comprised of whole food items allow birds to pick and choose – indeed, nutritional deficiencies caused by this problem spurred the development of pelleted diets.  As parrots must eat the whole pellet, choice is removed from the equation. 

However, whether we are dealing with people, zebras (yes, there is a zebra pellet, and scores of others) or parrots, certain nutrients are difficult if not impossible to incorporate into processed foods.

The Food-Boredom Link

The article linked below highlights many problems that may be linked to the inappropriate use of pellets, such as formula variations and chick rearing concerns. One of these is a topic that I tend to focus on as well – the importance of food in keeping an animal occupied and interested in its environment.  This holds for all creatures, but especially so for parrots and other active, highly-intelligent birds. 

Responsible zoos now require that “behavioral enrichment” be a part of parrot husbandry, and pet keepers should as well.  Seeds, nuts, whole fruits, tree branches with buds and flowers and other such food items play an invaluable role in this regard.  From sunbirds to elephants, most animals spend the majority of their time gathering food.  A parrot that fills up in 5 minutes by eating a bowl of pellets is in for an unhappy existence.

What to Do

When formulating a diet for your bird, nothing beats careful research into its natural history.  The information is out there, but one must usually go beyond “googling” the species…please write in for details if you need further information.  Pellets eliminate this step, but at what cost?  Even if your bird thrives, much of value will be lost if you do not go through the research yourself.

Achieving the proper balance between natural foods and pellets will be an ongoing process, and dependent upon the species, individual and a great many factors…please write in for further information.

Species Specific Diets

Species specific pellets, such as Pretty Bird Cockatiel Food, are an important step forward.  Several seed-based diets are also now formulated with specific groups of birds in mind.  Please review what’s available in pelleted and natural bird foods and be sure to write in if you need assistance.

Further Reading

The check out the articles mentioned above and others on this topic:

Views on Pelleted Foods

Alternative Bird Foods (back when we had to cook horsemeat and other goodies)

Pellet-based Diets for Parrots

Sprouting Seeds for Pet Birds

Gardening for Pet Birds  

Please write in with your questions and comments. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Post from: That Bird Blog


Parrot Nutrition – Pellets Re-visited

Despite the thousands of parrot toys on the market, surprisingly few can stand up to the attentions of even the smallest species (i.e. the Red-Shouldered Macaw), much less the massive Scarlet or Blue and Gold Macaws.  Keeping up with their needs by supplying commercial toys can be both frustrating and expensive.

Create Your Own Macaw Toys

One useful option is to make your own toys…this is inexpensive and fun, and, since you’ll be using either very durable or recycled materials, environmentally friendly as well.  A very positive aspect of toy-making is that you can tailor the toy to your pet’s specific needs…as any macaw owner learns, these engaging birds vary widely in their personalities and activity preferences.  Raw (untreated) lumber, old telephone books, fruit tree branches and wicker baskets filled with leather strips, leaves, nuts and other such items can provide hours of entertainment. 

Super Bird’s Make Your Own Bird Toy line is well worth a look – wooden spools, blocks and slats, drilled dry corn cobs, metal clips and similar objects can be assembled into to a wide variety of interesting combinations, or used “as is”.

Durable Commercial Bird and Dog Toys

Some of the ready-to-use bird toys we offer are specifically designed for macaws and other large parrots.  The Large Parrot Copper Bell, Nut Maze Block, Large Cluster Block Toy, Bird Kabob, and Birdie Boggler Wood Rings are all well-worth trying.

Macaw owners often turn to dog toys in their search – after all, macaws are as strong as many dogs (and, of course, as bright!).  Rawhide, bone and others that lack small parts are the best choices.

Further Reading

For more on making parrot toys and creating an exciting environment for your pet, please see Parrot Toys and Behavioral Enrichment Adding Zest to Your Parrot’s Life.

Even old socks come in handy – please see the entertaining video “Macaw Playing like a Dog”.

Please write in with your questions and comments. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Post from: That Bird Blog


Help…My Macaw Trashes any and all Bird Toys in Minutes!

The Importance of Cage Size

Cage size is a critical consideration when keeping any animal, but takes on special importance where active, intelligent species such as parrots are concerned.  This is especially true in situations where the birds are confined to their cages for most of the day. 

The proper cage will add greatly to your bird’s health and quality of life, and will certainly render it a more responsive pet and companion.

An Ideal Cage for Larger Birds

I’m particularly impressed by our enormous A&E Dual Space Saver Cage. Of course, all parrots do best when allowed time to explore outside their cages in a safe, bird-proofed room, but this cage is ideal for times when this is not possible. 

Suitable even for the largest Macaws and Cockatoos, the Space Saver can also accommodate pairs of smaller Parrots, as well as larger Doves, Toucans and Mynas.  This behemoth of a cage is almost 7 feet long and over 3 feet wide, and stands 6 feet high.  A sliding partition enables one to create 2 cages – ideal for introductions or the permanent housing of multiple species (or for use during avian “marital disputes”!).

The Space Saver is designed so as to fit into one’s home, not stand out– it is well constructed, attractive and available in charcoal, blue, green, platinum, white and sandstone.

Mammal Keepers Take Note

While looking over this cage, my animal-keeper’s mind wandered back to those times when I kept mammals as well as birds.  With a few simple modifications, I can see this cage as being very useful for those of you who care for Prehensile-tailed Porcupines, Red, Prevost’s and other Squirrels, Spotted Skunks and similar creatures.

Large Cages for Tight Spaces

Another nicely designed enclosure that caught my eye is the A&E Space Saver Hexagonal Cage.  Nearly as large as the Dual Cage, it has a pleasing shape that allows one to make use of corners and other such spaces in the home.  Available in 6 colors, its tough bars and built in seed-catchers suit it well for the toughest of our avian friends.

Free Shipping!

As you might imagine, the shipping costs on huge, metal cages can be substantial – so we eliminated them!  Both cages are shipped free-of-charge.

Further Reading

A unique take on the importance of cage size is given in this Duke University article.

Please see How Much Room Does a Finch Need? for thoughts on cages for smaller birds.

Please write in with your questions and comments. 

Thanks, until next time,

 Frank Indiviglio

Post from: That Bird Blog


Large, Beautiful Cages for Large, Beautiful Birds

Edible Nests (Snak Shak) and Perches

Few parrots can resist the urge to “improve” a potential nesting hole – the Snak Shak Bird House is all the more attractive as it is comprised of honey and alfalfa.  Available in 2 sizes, the Snak Shak will interest all small to medium sized parrots and may even help to spur real nesting behavior.

Our edible perches are available in straight and vine-like styles.  As the perches are consumed, they change size and shape, causing the parrot to engage in a variety of acrobatics in order to both remain on the perch and eat it at the same time – great fun!<!–more–>

Enrichment Pods

Designed along the lines of similar items used in zoos, Enrichment Pods are more in the nature of “enrichment activities” than toys, although they certainly will entertain you and your pet.  All are re-fillable and suited for Budgies, Cockatiels, Lovebirds and similarly-sized pets.

The Hide-and-Go-Treat and Forage Frenzy challenge parrots to find and then figure out how to remove favorite treats while the Polly Puzzler requires birds to match wooden blocks or treats to the properly-shaped hole.

Planet Pleasures Ecologically-Friendly Toys

Our Fair Trade manufactured Planet Pleasures Toys are made of palm leaf, coconut shell, bamboo, oyster shell and other durable, natural materials.  Constructed so as to provide an interesting, complex surface, they will keep your parrots busy for hours.  The Coco Rocket is designed for especially enthusiastic chewers, but the Bamboo Man, Birdie Bouquet and Hula Skirt can all stand up to a great deal of abuse. 

Further Reading

Please see Behavioral Enrichment for Parrots for more thoughts on this important topic.

Parrots that are accustomed to working for treats on a regular basis are easier to train than bored birds.  Check out this amusing Cockatoo video and see what’s possible.

Please write in with your questions and comments. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Post from: That Bird Blog


New Parrot Products – Food, Exercise and Mental Challenges in One Package

I have found that even birds that are known to live long captive lives on somewhat limited diets show great improvements in their condition when variety is introduced.  Be it frogs offered to fishing owls or fresh sprouts provided to red bishops and other finches, the vigorous reactions induced by novel foods leaves me with no doubt as to their value.

A Practical and Inexpensive Tool

Of course, life often intrudes on our abilities to provide our pets with diets comprised of dozens of ingredients, however noble our intentions.  That Pet Place Variety Treat Packs offer an ideal solution by combining several types of difficult-to-find foods in one convenient package…and at a lower price than if the items were purchased individually.

Group-specific Products

There is a specially formulated Variety Pack for all types of popularly kept birds, including large macaws and large parrots, conures and small parrots, lovebirds, cockatiels, doves, finches, canaries and parakeets. 

Each pack contains a wide variety of foods, with some in the form of toys that encourage natural foraging behaviors.  Lafeber Nutri-Meals and Avi Cakes, which are helpful in introducing pelleted foods to bird diets, are included in some of the packs.  Other ingredients include fruit, nut and berry treats, dried coconut, papaya and other tropical fruits and honey-dipped seed sticks.

Further Reading

For a look at what it was like to prepare bird diets for a collection numbering thousands of individuals, please see my article Alternative Bird Diets, Yesterday and Today.

Please write in with your questions and comments. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Post from: That Bird Blog


Towards Balanced Bird Diets – That Pet Place Variety Treat Packs

Bird First Aid Kit

The VSI Bird First Aid Kit is stocked with powdered styptic, bandages, antiseptic wipes, forceps and many other useful products, this kit has everything you need to deal with minor emergencies.  The emergency card included in the kit is most helpful.

Nutritional Supplements

Lafeber Powdered Vitamins can be used on a daily basis, and are especially useful in that they can be applied to food or water.

Virbac Vita Flight Supplement is flavored with fruit and therefore well-accepted by many birds.  It is designed for use during stressful times, such as when a bird has been re-located or is molting, breeding or recovering from an illness.  Another of Virbac’s products, Ornabac, is fortified with extra Vitamin B, an important nutrient during especially stressful events.

Feather and Skin Care

Feather Glo Bird Bath helps to keep both skin and feathers in good shape, while Feather Brite Bird Bath Spray contains lanolin and aloe to assist in soothing irritated skin.

Scalex Mite and Lice Spray should always be on hand to address external parasites.

Bitter Apple has long been favored as a means of discouraging feather plucking.  It is most effective when applied as soon as plucking commences, and therefore should always be on hand.

Beak Conditioning

Disguised as an attractive toy, the volcanic pumice in Four Paws’ Pumice Kabob is one of the most effective materials for keeping bird beaks naturally trimmed and in prime condition.

Further Reading

I’ve written a number of other articles addressing bird medicine and health.  Please see The Diagnosis and Treatment of Ailments Afflicting Cage Birds and the articles referenced there for more information.

Please write in with your questions and comments. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Scarlet macau image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by VC-s.

Post from: That Bird Blog


Keeping a Preventative and Emergency Health Care Kit for Birds

A Complex Environment and Foraging Opportunities

The additional space provided by this cage also allows you to easily provide a stimulating captive environment for your pets. A variety of vine-style perches and toys can be used in this regard.

The provision of challenging and somewhat “natural” foraging opportunities is also important in keeping birds active and healthy. Installing sprout pots, hiding fruits and scattering small mealworms, crickets and other insects about a large cage are all time-tested techniques that will keep your birds alert and eager to explore their surroundings.

Further Reading

Just as many folks seem to believe that finches can get by in cramped quarters due to their diminutive size (please see Part I of this article for further discussion), so too it is sometimes assumed that only parrots have any use for toys. Please see my article Finches use “Parrot Toys” Too! for an alternative view.

Please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.

Image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by William Kreijkes.

Post from: That Bird Blog


The A&E Double Flight Cage – How Much Room Does a Finch Need – Part 2

Cage Size…an Alternative View

Rather than using your pet’s size as a factor in cage choice, I propose instead that you carefully consider its habits and natural history. For example, finches do not climb about as do parrots, and hence cages offer to them much less “useable space”. Whereas a parrot might clamber over every inch of its home – roof included – finches use mainly flying and ground space.

Also, finches explore and will utilize toys, but not to the extent seen in most parrots. They spend more time foraging and otherwise moving about, and hence have little to “occupy themselves” in a small cage… space therefore is key to their well-being.

Then too, many finches tend to be high strung, and are ill at ease when closely confined. It is very hard to hand-tame finches, or to induce breeding in tight quarters. As most finches are not given outside flight time, cage size and complexity are important factors in their husbandry.

A Finch Mansion

At just over 5 feet x 2 feet x 5 feet, the A&E Double Flight Bird Cage is the ultimate in luxury housing for finches. Available in 6 colors, it can also be divided to allow for introductions or when separate facilities are otherwise needed.

The .5 inch bar spacing renders this cage ideal for even the smallest of finches, but its design also permits the accommodation of cockatiels, parrotlets, lovebirds and parakeets.

Large Finches and Mixed Species Groups

The Double Flight Cage is an excellent choice for those seeking to provide finches of any kind with additional room, and is perfect for housing larger species such as Gouldian finches, bull finches and Java rice birds.

You can also use this cage to create a striking mixed-species display for compatible birds such as cordon bleus, golden-breasts and painted finches.

Nesting and Breeding

Additional space always improves ones chances of breeding captive birds. Ample room is particularly important for shy finches, and for those that become lethargic in small cages and reproduce most reliably in group situations (i.e. yellow-rumped and gray-headed munias).

For many of the more sensitive finches, a large flight cage is the only reasonable alternative to an outdoor aviary if breeding efforts are to be successful.

The Double Flight Cage is equipped with 2 doors that allow for the installation of nest boxes. Nesting sites so situated are outside of the cage and therefore will not restrict available flight space.

My most memorable observations of captive finches have taken place before large cages and outdoor aviaries. If you are serious about your birds, please consider providing them with as much space as possible.

Next time we’ll take a look at some other favorable aspects of finch flight cages. Until then, please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks, Frank Indiviglio.

Further Reading

Working with mixed species collections is a favorite pastime of mine, and one that hooks most who give it a try. Click here for more information concerning finch species that forage together in the wild.

Image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Jason L. Buberel.

Post from: That Bird Blog


The A&E Double Flight Cage: How Much Room Does a Finch Need? Part I

Canaries, Finches, Parakeets and other Small Birds

As mentioned in Part I of this article, the exercise needs of smaller birds are often overlooked…many are quite high strung, and need comparatively more space than do large, calm birds.

A&E Aviary Cages and Double Stacked Bird Cages are true mansions for smaller birds, and the absolute best choice for those that require flying room.  The provision of flying space is especially important for birds that do not climb about in the manner of parrots, and for those which cannot be given out-of-the-cage exercise time.

The Blue Ribbon Tall Cage  is great for parakeets, lovebirds and other climbers.  It can be provisioned with vine and rope perches  to increase its usable space and create a very unique effect.

A useful new concept – the second floor – is included in the Blue Ribbon Series 1418 Cage.

The additional height is very much appreciated by shyer finches.

Small Parrots

Cockatiels, lovebirds, conures and other small parrots make use of both flying and climbing space…their ultimate housing option is the A&E Flight/Aviary Bird Cage . 

Our Victorian Style Cage  opens at the top, allowing your pet access to an open-air perch site.  You might also wish to check out our cages for medium-sized birds (please see below).

Medium Parrots

African gray parrots, Goffin’s cockatoos, Amazons and similarly-sized birds are often tricky to accommodate – not quite as large as macaws, they are still hefty and active, and are cramped in typical parrot cages.  Our wide selection of Victorian, Dometop and Playtop Cages offer a great many options for all of the most commonly-kept parrots.

Large Parrots and Cockatoos

A&E Split Level House Cage, which provides ample height, width and length for even the largest avian pets.  It also allows for cage-top play areas, an important consideration for large, intelligent birds.

For something a bit different, consider the A&E Mahogany Cage  which is both a fine piece of furniture and a functional, spacious cage.

Shama Thrushes, Pekin Robins, Quail and other Exotics

Cages for less-commonly kept birds must be chosen with careful consideration to the species’ lifestyle- toucans need to hop from branch to branch, white-eyes must have flying room, painted quail require ample floor space – and so on.

Cage size and shape is particularly important for birds which tend to be shy and for those that will not be handled, and thus will spend most of their time confined.  Please write in for advice concerning individual species.

Outdoor Aviaries

Our outdoor aviaries are the ultimate in bird homes, allowing your pets the benefits of space, sun and natural light.  Ranging from 3.5×4 to 9×5 feet, there is an outdoor aviary for any bird you may keep.

Playpens and Gyms

A larger cage is the most effective means of providing your bird with additional space.  You can, however, increase exercise options for tame birds by providing them with one of our unique cage top or free-standing play areas.

Further Reading

Please see my article on Outdoor Aviaries for further information on these ultimate bird environments.

Please write in with your questions and comments.  Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.

Post from: That Bird Blog


Bird Cage Overview…Time to Give Your Pet More Space? – Part 2