FINCHforum

I was reading up about Society finches and came across this one web page. http://www.finchroom.com/articles/benji_tale.html
They briefly mentioned that Society finches (also called Bengalese finches) seem to live shorter lives than most finches.

Is this true?
I feel like I've heard the same thing said before somewhere else, but can't remember. Anyway, Society finches just don't seem very hardy to me? (prolific sure, but they just seem like the kind of bird to randomly die on you) Granted, I haven't owned any before, just zebras for me, so I have no clue.

If Societies really do live shorter lives, then why is it? Maybe because they've been in captivity so long compared to other finches?

What species of finch do you have a hard time keeping alive for a long time? What species of finch seems to live forever for you and is really hardy?

I have not noticed that Societies are shorter-lived, nor heard they are for others. They are definitely not a delicate species to keep and are very hardy. This hardiness is one of the reasons Societies are often recommended as first-finches for beginners. They are well able to tolerate husbandry mistakes.

Some breeders keep Societies solely for fostering other species. In some of these establishments, the Societies are continually feeding and raising clutch after clutch. Often they are kept in banks of small cages. In those conditions, I would expect them to not do as well or to live as long.

When given any sort of reasonable care, however, Societies are hardy and delightful birds.