Aging finch?

[BeepNbuzz]

Hello everyone- another query from a newbie:
How long do finches live (I thought about five years?) and what signs of aging have you seen?
Do you end up euthenising very old and infirm birds- and if so, how?

I don't know the age of the two zebras that I just purchased. I didn't think of it until I noticed that the two of them behave very differently from each other. One of them, Loki, is extremely lively, vocal, curious and playful. He is awake for most of the day, eating, drinking, bathing and preening, beeping away- has so much energy. The other finch, Thor, sleeps the day away, rarely makes a sound and is not really I nterested in anything, not even his flightmate. He rouses himself to eat and drink- then goes back to bed! He also has an unkempt appearance- ruffled feathers all the time. At first I wondered if he's sick, until my daughter suggested he might just be old. He certainly does not seem distressed- but his buddy Loki does! Loki is always trying to get some attention from him!

I certainly will take measures to find out if he's sick, but the situation just got me thinking: what do finch enthusiasts do with their aging birds?

[finchmix22]

Sounds like Thor is sick. Do his droppings look watery or sticky? Put a heat lamp or bulb over one perch so he can stay warm. If he is sick, then the other could get sick too. Keep us posted.