Wild finches are mainly seed eaters. They consume seeds from a wide variety of plants, including grasses. However, they are also opportunistic and will consume fruits, berries, and other vegetation that become available during certain parts of the year. A finch’s diet may consist mostly of these “extras” in certain locations. These birds aren’t heavy consumers of insects, though they may eat these should the opportunity arise.
In captivity, a finch’s diet should primarily consist of seeds, just like in the wild. However, most commercially available seed mixes are not appropriate, as they are far too high in fat and low in nutrients. Most do not include the same types of seeds that finches would eat in the wild. Therefore, these birds should be fed appropriate pelleted food, one that is specifically designed for a finch’s nutrition and that contains everything that they need.
It is also impossible for a finch to selectively eat a pellet mix, a common problem with seed mixes. A pet finch may pick out one kind of seed that is their favorite and ignore the others. Of course, this is usually the fattest and unhealthiest seed in the mix.
What Should I Feed My Finch?
Nutrition is essential for your bird’s health, but it is a commonly overlooked part of bird ownership. Many owners purchase a seed mixture that is advertised for finches. However, this is usually not appropriate and may lead to health problems like obesity.
Just like any animal, birds are what they eat. If you feed an improper diet to your finch, you can’t expect them to thrive. The most common finch diets are commercial seed mixes. These usually contain two to five different seeds. While these birds do eat seeds in the wild, these seed mixes often include high-fat seeds that the birds would not eat naturally. They also tend to be low in nutrition.
If your bird mostly lives on these seed mixes, they are likely to fall into ill health and develop nutritional deficiencies. It is also common for finches to selectively eat these mixes, picking out one or two of their favorite seeds. Finches cannot live on a single type of seed. They will quickly develop deficiencies. Instead, most finches should be fed only 1 teaspoon of seeds per day.
Pellets should be the central part of a finch’s diet, as these contain the nutrients that your finch needs. They also can’t be selectively fed, which removes some of the risk of nutritional deficiencies. Pellets should be a minimum of 70% of your finch’s diet. More is often better.
Do Finches Eat Fruits and Vegetables?
Yes, both wild and pet finches will consume fruits and veggies occasionally. In the wild, they will eat these foods as they become available. Usually, they can only be found seasonally.
About 20% of a pet finch’s diet should be vegetables and fruits. Pale and water-rich veggies should be avoided. Avocado is also toxic to birds and should not be offered. Be sure to wash the fruit or vegetable thoroughly, and cut it into tiny pieces. Finches are small birds, so they do not need much.
Selective feeding can happen if the same fruits and veggies are continuously offered. Finches are prone to just seeking out their favorite foods. In these cases, we recommend eliminating them from their diet, at least temporarily.
What Shouldn’t You Feed a Finch?
Many commercial bird foods are not appropriate for finches, especially the seed mixes. Therefore, you should avoid serving these as the bulk of your bird’s diet.
Millet counts as a seed and should only make up 10% of your bird’s diet at most. It’s tasty but offers little nutrition for finches. Millet spray and branches should also be taken into account, even if they aren’t technically in a seed mix.
You should avoid offering honey sticks or similar treats. While these are yummy, they are far too much for most finches. Any treats that your finch bird should also be healthy, such as fruits and vegetables. Commercial treats are far too high in fat to be helpful for these birds.
Some foods are advertised to help your birds sing better or molt faster. However, these are primarily false promises. There is no evidence that specific seed mixes can help with your bird’s singing or molting. Your bird will molt and sing best when they are fed a quality diet, which should be primarily pellets.
Can Finches Eat People Food?
When in doubt, we recommend not feeding your finch people food. Many are harmful to birds, such as avocados. Birds are lactose-intolerant, so any dairy should also be avoided. This includes cheese and yogurt.
Finches may enjoy minimal amounts of meat, fish, and eggs. But these are not necessary for their diet and shouldn’t make up any considerable portion of it. For the most part, finches are better off eating something else, like their pelleted diet or high-quality fruits.
Junk foods, including chocolate and salty foods, should be avoided. These can be potentially toxic for birds. Since humans are larger, we can handle far more salt than the average finch. Chips, pretzels, and popcorn can easily contain too much salt for a small bird, causing health problems to develop.
Do Finches Need Vitamin Supplements?
If they are fed a proper diet, finches usually don’t need any dietary supplements. Pelleted diets provide all the nutrients your bird needs, allowing you to skip supplementation altogether. Of course, seed mixtures do not provide for all your pet’s needs. If your finch is eating a mostly seed diet, it is recommended that you work to switch them to a pelleted diet. Supplements may help cover some gaps, but a pelleted diet is best.
Certain birds may need supplements during certain times. For instance, egg-laying birds may require extra calcium. This supplement comes in a powdered form that can be added to their food. Water additives are also available, but powdered supplements are more accessible to dose. Plus, you can tell if your bird is eating the powder, which is impossible to do with a water additive.
Powders should not be added to seeds. It will be discarded as the bird removes the shell, leading to little being consumed. Birds that eat mostly seeds will need a water additive instead.
Do Finches Eat Sunflower Seeds?
If offered, most finches will eat sunflower seeds. However, that doesn’t mean that these are good for them. Many finches love sunflower seeds due to their high fat content. They are adept at finding them once they know what to look for. Many bird watchers are particularly amazed at their ability to dig them out of bird feeders.
When consuming them in the wild, most finches will not eat enough sunflower seeds to affect their health. They will also be locating other seeds, many of which are better for their health.
However, if your pet bird has a steady supply of sunflower seeds, their health can be adversely affected. They may selectively eat only sunflower seeds, causing health problems like obesity. These seeds are not nutritionally dense and are high in fat. Therefore, they are not recommended for finches except as treats. Pellets and healthier food items should be provided instead.
How Do I Attract Finches to My Garden?
Finches love seeds and are not picky about what they eat. Most of them will happily eat whatever seeds you provide. However, many do have their preferences. Sunflower seeds are standard favorites, so try adding a few to your feeder.
Finches need to feel safe to use a feeder. Place it near a tree, not out in the open. These birds prefer to hide and make short trips to feeders. If there aren’t any trees around, they may not feel safe visiting.
Seed-bearing plants are popular among finches. If you’re looking to attract these birds to your garden without using a feeder, we recommend planting plenty of these plants. Brightly colored plants may also attract them or in a pinch, brightly colored ribbons.
Be sure to clean your feeders regularly. Finches will often avoid dirty feeders. They are less able to manage the grim due to their small size.
Final Thoughts
Wild finches mostly eat seeds of all sorts, including those from grasses. They eat seeds opportunistically, meaning they will consume practically anything available. As the seasons allow, they also eat fruits and other vegetation. Usually, this only occurs during certain times of the year when fruits are ripe.
Pet finches should not be fed seeds primarily, though. Unfortunately, commercial seed mixes do not include the nutrients that finches need to thrive, and they tend to be relatively high in fat. Instead, choose a pelleted food for your finch.
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Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
