FINCHforum

My 4 Spice Finches are very skitish. They cling to the top of a finch nest they are afraid of just about everything. If I change their seed or add their bath dish or add millet they stay up near the top of the cage most of the day. I don't think I have seen them take a bath since I bought them. Today I place a container of sprouted Wheat Grass Seed and there they are again up on top of the nest. What makes them so skitish???? I have tried to not get close to the cage during the day to give them space. What can I do??

Did you just recently get them? How big is their cage and where is it located? (Meaning, is the cage lower than you are tall? Birds like to look down at you if at all possible.)

I can't say that my spice finches are any more skittish than any of my waxbills.

Just IMHO: Not going near the cage won't help either because then they'll never get used to you. One thing I found (and read on other forums) is it helps if you try to softly talk to the birds when you approach them. (Somebody told me once "predators are silent", so chatter with the birds to make them feel comfortable.) Maybe you have time to sit next to the cage for a little every day and talk to them, and offer them millet with your hand from the outside?

I hope somebody else has better advice, right now I think I'm just rambling on...

I agree with Ursula. Talk softly to them and sit by the cage if you can. Before I go into my finch room I always start talking outside the door, in the room and while I'm feeding them. It could be they were aviary bred and aren't used to people around them at all. I've also heard that some birds are nervous if they are by too many windows and can see wild birds outside. Like if they are in front of a window and can't get away. Does that make sense? It sounds like they aren't used to anyone around them so don't take it personally. They'll probably settle in eventually. I know it's sad when they are afraid of you. At least it's sad for me if I have birds that fear me like I'm going to eat them Right now my Zebra pair have 2 babies and whenever I get near their cage they act like I'm from Mars and I'm going to suck their brains out and eat their chicks. It's frustrating to see them thrashing around when they know good and well I'm only feeding them.

I do talk to them when I am feeding or just watching them. They are located in a corner and their cage has a solid back and they are up high. I guess we both have some adjusting to do right? Actually today I see them jumping from perch to perch but still taking a hard look at the sprouted seed dish.

There is nothing shy about the other finches in the big aviary.....

I breed spice finches and usually the young are very skiddish. After they reach adulthood they usually are more trusting. Perhaps your birds are young.

I have spice finches and they were skittish when I first got them, but they are better now. They are about one year old.

I have no idea how old they are 3 of them have silver bands so you may be right they are young. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Thanks Everyone