Finch Toys?

by Robin Sweet

RECOMMEND FINCH TOY FOR ZEBRA FINCHES

"Toys and Entertainment for Finches", by Jayne Yantz

Question: My parrot's cage is filled with fun toys to keep him busy. Do my finches need toys, too?

Response: Finches do not "play" the way parrots do. Nevertheless, offering toys to your finches will give them a little variety which can enrich their everyday lives. Your birds may ignore the toys you provide, but you might be pleasantly surprised at their creativity with the items you offer them!

Toys are seldom advertised for finches, but you can find suitable ones if you look carefully. Check the toys labeled for parakeets and small parrots in the store, as these are the proper sized items. Ladders to climb, plastic or wooden beads to move on a stick, rings to climb through (provided they are larger than the finch's body), bells to ring, plastic balls or penguins to push around the cage or aviary floor, plastic or wooden swings to perch and swing on, and bird pacifiers [link to the existing toy photo] are all excellent choices. Wooden chew toys sold for parrots are not necessary, as finches do not have the same need to chew hard substances that parrots exhibit.

Another possible toy to provide for your birds is a small mirror. Sometimes, however, finches will react to the reflection in the mirror as if it is a territorial intruder. If you observe your birds (especially males) attacking that "other bird," remove the toy immediately and offer it to another cage.

Question: That sounds like a good start. Are there other, non-commercial items I could offer them?

Response: Of course! Try leaving the small twigs from the millet spray in your cage after the birds have devoured the seeds. Other small twigs could be provided, as long as they have not been sprayed by any type of pesticide. If you offer fruit twigs, leave a few buds, fruits or leaves on them for additional nutritional or entertainment. Grasses, hay or straw are possible options, too.

Leather lacing, thin paper strips or rawhide twigs hung from the roof of the cage to the perch offers your finches something to chew. You could also use thick twine or thin string from the roof; either dangle it to a perch to provide something to chew, or tie both ends to the roof to provide a swing. Be careful, though, never to leave any loops or knots within the cage where the birds may catch their feet or heads.

You could provide your birds with real plants or silk or plastic flowers to perch on or to carry around their cage. Offer them a facial tissue (unscented!); they might make a nest or tent from it. Bedding materials, including corn cob pieces and pine shavings, can also become toys for adventurous and creative finches.

In short, use your imagination and your common sense to create safe and fun toys for your finches. Try not to crowd the cage with them, as the birds still need lots of room to fly, their main form of exercise. Offer a few toys at a time, change them regularly, and be aware of your birds' preferences.

Question: What other forms of stimulation can I provide for my finches? Are there games I can play with them?
 

Response: Finches won't imitate like a parrot will, so they will not really play "games". However, there are other ways to make their surroundings more interesting. Some of these activities may even resemble games to you.

Birds are very responsive to sound, so one possibility is to play soft music or recordings of birdsong for them. If they respond to these, but they will also respond to other sounds that you may not plan: alarm clocks, fire trucks, telephones, other birds outside the window. If you are inventive, you can try to imitate your birds to see if they will whistle back at you.

Another interesting "game" is to bathe your birds. Try giving your birds a light mist from a spray bottle, especially in the dry winter or in the heat of the summer (as long as there is no draft and the room is warm). Or, if you prefer, you can offer your birds a shallow dish of water to bathe in. You can never underestimate the entertainment value for you of a bathing flock of finches!

You should also offer your birds a variety of scenery to keep them entertained. You could place their cage near a sunny window with wild birds singing on the other side of the screen or glass for a terrific vacation spot.

Question: How else can I enrich their cages?
 

Response: You could offer them food treats, like millet spray, fruits and vegetables or commercial honey sticks. You can provide them with natural or branched perches, some at different angles in the cage. Finally, you can put live plants*, like herbs or small evergreen trees, in the aviary to allow your birds fresh perches or live foods.

To read an excellent article entitled: 

"Toys and Entertainment for Finches", by Jayne Yantz, click HERE.

(First Published in BirdTalk Magazine) January 1996. Copyrighted material used with permission.
* Some plants are unsuitable for bird aviaries, as they are poisonous. To find out what plants to avoid, click HERE.

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