Avian Medicine:
Basic Information Sheet for the Finch

• Natural history
• Taxonomy
• Species
• Physical description
• Sexual dimorphism
• Diet
• Husbandry
• Behavior
• Normal physiologic values
• Anatomy/physiology
• Restraint
• Venipuncture
• Preventive medicine
• Injections
• Important medical conditions
• References

Finches are found worldwide. The Zebra finch, Owl finch and Gouldian finch are originally from Australia where large flocks may be found, mainly in arid grassland areas. Owl finches are also found in woodlands and scrublands.  The Bengalese or Society finch is a cross between the sharp-tailed munia and striata munia and was never found in nature.  Of family Fringillidae, only the Red Siskin and the Yellow Siskin are listed in Appendix I and Appendix II of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) listings respectively. Appendix I species are threatened with extinction, and commercial trade is prohibited and importation/exportation for scientific research requires special permits. Appendix II species are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but may become so unless their trade is strictly regulated.

T. g. guttata – Zebra finch
Taeniopygia bichenovii
T. b. bichenovii or T.b. annulosa – Owl finch
Erythrura gouldiae – Gouldian finch
Lonchura striata –Bengalese or Society finch
Family Fringillidae – ‘True Finches’
Carduelis cucullata –Red Siskin

Carduelis xanthogastra –Yellow-bellied Siskin

Species most commonly kept as pets belong to families Estrildidae and Fringillidae. The family Estrildidae is one of three official families of finches and has 140 species. The Zebra finch is the most common pet finch sold. There are several subfamilies and greater than 125 species of Fringillidae.

True finches family Fringillidae
Many birds in other families are also called finches

• Gouldian finch – vivid normal coloration with both accepted and “nonaccepted” color mutations.
• Bengalese/Society finch – brown, tan, and white patterns.
• Zebra finch – Black-and-white tail, red beak with color mutations common.
• Nestlings have species-specific luminous mouthparts to attract feeding parents.

• The Gouldian finch is sexually dimorphic with males much brighter than females.
• The differences between the male and female of other species like the Owl finch are extremely subtle.

Finches are granivores that feed primarily on a variety of seeds in the wild. Captive birds are often fed pellets or seed mixes supplemented with egg food and greens. Only a small amount of grit should be offered.

• Cages housing active birds should have at least two perches. 
• Cages should be at least 14 inches long and wide for a pair, a longer cage being important for flight ability.  Owl finches should have a cage at least 2×3 feet with access to shade.
• Perches should be 3/8 – ¾ inches.
• Cage bar spacing should not be greater than ½ inch.

• High stress levels in Gouldian finches.
• Zebra finches adapt well to captivity.
• Bengalese finches are excellent foster parents to Gouldian finches.
• Need lots of exercise.

Canaries share the following Anatomic traits with other members of Order Passeriformes:

• Very high metabolic rate.
• 7 air sacs: the cranial thoracic air sacs are fused to the single median clavicular air sac.
• Neopulmo and paleopulmo divisions of lungs well developed.
• There is no communication between left and right nasal sinuses
• An anisodactylous foot well-developed for perching: one toe (the hallux) is behind and the other three toes are in front
• The spleen is oblong, not spherical.
• The ceca are rudimentary or vestigial.

“Lights out/perches out”: To catch up a canary, place the cage on the examination table. Turn the lights off and catch up the bird quickly before it acclimates to the darkness. Restrain the canary’s head between the index and middle fingers. Use your thumb and little finger to gently control the body.

• Using a 27-to 30-gauge needle and 0.5-1.0 mL syringe, draw blood from the right jugular vein. Collection of up to 1% of body weight is acceptable in the healthy patient.
• The predominate white blood cell in passerines is the lymphocyte.

• Obtain a complete history and perform a thorough annual physical examination.
• Establish baseline data with regular clinical testing (complete blood count, protein electrophoresis, and plasma biochemistries.
• Ensure proper nutrition and husbandry.
• Recommend quarantine of newly acquired birds.
• Perform additional testing for select diseases based on history and physical exam findings: avian polyoma virus, psittacosis.
• Determine the origin and history of newly acquired sick birds to contain and prevent further spread of disease.

Brough C. "All About Finches." World of Exotic Pet Birds. Animal World, 2011. Web site. Available at:  http://animal-world.com/encyclo/birds/finches/FinchProfile.htm. Accessed May 1, 2011.

Carpenter J (ed). Exotic Animal Formulary. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO; Elsevier Saunders; 2005. Pp. 278-279.

Harrison GJ, Harrison LR. Clinical Avian Medicine and Surgery, Appendix 4, Philadelphia; W.B. Saunders; 1986. Pp. 583-585, 879-911.

Lafeber Company. The Finch. LafeberCares Web site. Available at: http://www.lafebercares.com/knowledge/birds/finch.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.

Mitchell M, Tully TN (eds). Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2008. Pp. 251-252, 262, 276.

Morgan D. Bird Care. Neptune City, NJ: TFH Publications; 2005. Pp. 13, 14.

O’Malley B. Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species. Edinburgh: Elsevier Saunders; 2005. Pp. 156-157.

Tully TN. Birds. In: Mitchell M, Tully TN (eds). Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2008. Pp. 270-271, 276.

Tully TN, Lawton MPC, Dorrestein GM. Avian Medicine. Oxford; Butterworth-Heinemann; 2000. Pp. 26-34, 43-51.