“Society” is the perfect name for these social little birds. They are so social that it is best to keep them in small groups or flocks. At times these little social butterflies can be a too social; they have been known to disrupt the breeding patterns of other, more private birds. Though they have a very energetic nature, these birds are never aggressive and they will make the perfect pet for new bird owners as well as those more experienced.

While the absolute ancestry of the Society Finch is uncertain, we do know that these birds were developed in Asia over three hundred years ago. Most avian experts believe these birds are a domestic form of the White-backed Munia (Lonchura striata).

These friendly birds have three basic color varieties: chocolate and white, fawn and white, and pure white. There are also tri-coloreds and solid-colored Society Finches. You can also find the crested Scociey Finch which was developed in the 1930′s. They grow to be about four and one-fourth inches to four and three-fourths inches (11-12 cm).

Society Finches make great pets for beginners. In addition to their ideal temperament, they are inexpensive and one of the easiest birds to care for. Fresh food and water must be provided for these hardy birds daily. A good finch seed mix will provide their everyday preference for millets and canary seed. Finch seed mix is readily available at any pet store.

You will also need to supply your finches with green foods such as spinach and chickweed, served in a separate dish on a regular basis. You can also treat your birds to egg foods, pears or apples. You can spoil your little beauties with a nutritious treat of seeds with honey, fresh vegetables or fruit. Grit with charcoal is also vital to your Society Finches diet because it contains valuable minerals and trace elements plus it aids in your bird’s digestion. Grit can be placed in a dish, sprinkled on the bottom of a cage floor covered with fresh clean paper or you can use grit paper.

Cuttlebone should also be provided for your birds because it supplies them with the calcium they need for firm beaks, strong eggshells when breeding and it helps to prevent egg binding in females. The lime contained in cuttlebone aids the birds in their digestion. Finches are very hardy, strong little birds, so most illnesses can be traced back to a poor diet, filthy cages or drafts. You can keep your finches healthy, active and happy by supplying them with a healthy diet and a clean environment.

Occasionally you can offer your Society Finches a bath by setting a dish in the bottom of the cage that is about 1″ deep with a 1/2″ of water inside, or you can clip a bath house onto the side of the cage.

Another aspect of Society Finch care involves trimming their nails. Owners must be careful to never clip into the vein because the bird can quickly bleed to death. Bird nail trimmers and styptic powder to stop the bleeding are available at any pet shop.

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