Society Finch Socialization Question

[Atticus]

Fluffhead is my new male (so i think) Society Finch. He has a smaller bird cage, a mating nest, several perches, and a grateful dead "hammock"!

So far he seems really happy. I let him fly around my apartment twice a day and clean his cage and water regularly. He lives a pretty good life.

I just can't get over how much friendlier my parakeet was... I have to chase Fluff around the room for 15+ minutes before i can get him to cooperate! I know i have read about how finches are not too keen on human interaction... but can someone help and give me a few pointers on how to get Fluff to relax a little? Is there some way thats easier for me to catch him? A net? Something less crude than me chasing him around for 20 minutes while my friends laugh and duck their heads?

Please help!

Fluffhead: Male Society

[finchmix22]

Atticus
Welcome to the forum! Typically, finches are not tame, unless they were handfed and continue to have human contact and are not put into a cage or flight with other finches. That being said, there are a few members who tame their finches and let them fly lose. I assume the finches go back to the cages for water and food, but maybe someone here will tell you their method. When I have an escaped finch who is scared and doesn't want to let me catch them, I spritz them with water so their wings won't work as well and they are easier to catch. I probably would not let him out again, until he seems more comfortable with you at his cage, such as; sitting by the cage with his fav treat and then progress to going into the bathroom with all lids closed, then, put his fav food in your hand and sit very still. This will take some patience, but over time, he may become more tame. We did this with a couple GS hens and they learned to go on our finger. Good Luck!

[Gráinne Barrett]

Typically a cockatiel is a hand taming bird but unfortunately finches aren't too keen It's possible though because I had a zebra finch and bengalese finch that were hand tamed for a while!

[delray]

well first, of all, welcome to the forum!! This place is great,

So I have society finches, so I can answer these questions. First of All, the reason you are having a hard time catching him is because finches are not the kind of birds that like human interaction, unless you tame them. I am actually going through the process now, with a step by step strategy. If you tame him properly, he will land on you no problem when it's time to go back.

Another thing is, you might want to get him a friend. He will be much happier this way, even more happy than he is now. I would recomend a male society finch, if you don't plan on breeding.

Parakeets are birds who like human interaction, finches are much different.

Also, the way you can tell he is a male is something called the puffy dance. They extend their neck upwards, and they move their necks around and make a special chirp.

I hope these questions help you. Enjoy Atticus

[Gráinne Barrett]

delray what kind of process are you using for hand taming?

[delray]

Gráinne Barrett well actually, i am not hand taming them just yet, since i am so busy with school and not sure i can committ to it right now. But, on MiaCarter 's website http://www.petfinchfacts.com she gives a great step by step process on how to do it. my goal for right now is to get the, to land on my hand in the cage and not get too scared when we clean the cage. So if you look at her steps, i am in the process of the first 2 steps. They are improving and arent as scared as much!! so i am happy about it.

[Gráinne Barrett]

Yeah I bet it is very time consuming and seeing as I'm going to school too that would make it harder! The ones I hand tamed before were sort of just tame coz they were babies!

[delray]

Gráinne Barrett yes I know so much to do!! And yah, the other way is hand feeding,but I got them after they were real babies. They they are about 7 mos.

[Gráinne Barrett]

Cool. Did you get them off a breeder or pet shop?

[delray]

Gráinne Barrett I actually got them from my aunt Ginene !! Her societies had babies, and I got to 2 of her male babies for my bday. They are great!!!!!!!!!

[Gráinne Barrett]

Oh that's really good! I know what you mean, they're so cute

[delray]

Gráinne Barrett yeah so I know that they are all healthy and things like that. It's great to know personally who bred your birds, and we also have a great relationship.

[Gráinne Barrett]

Yeah I agree. Also pet shops usually shove up the prices compared to aviaries or breeders.

[delray]

Yeah, I got it as a bday present so it makes it even better.

[Gráinne Barrett]