Finches are well known for not only their beautiful colors but also their cheerful songs that can add a lively atmosphere to any home. These delightful small birds are found in various regions across the globe, and they thrive in social groups, roosting together and feeding primarily on seeds and fruits. In fact, you likely have wild finches right in your back yard.
Finches are common in pet shops and easy on the wallet, making them popular pet birds in the avian world, so it makes sense that you might want to add them to your family tree. Their captivating songs and friendly behavior make them fun to have as companions. Before diving into this feathered companionship, it’s important to understand the associated costs. Beyond the initial purchase price, which varies depending on the species, don’t forget to consider expenses related to housing, maintenance, proper diet, and veterinary care for your new finch. After all, you should never wing it when it comes to finances.
Let’s take a closer look at how much a finch costs to purchase and maintain to ensure you’re prepared for your avian adventure.
How Much Does a Finch Cost?
If you’re wondering how much a finch alone costs, that will depend on the finch species, where you plan to acquire your new pet, and the number of birds you plan on keeping in your captive flock. There are a myriad of finch species to choose from when considering these pets, but the most common you’re sure to encounter include:
- Zebra Finch
- Society Finch
- Spice Finch
- Gouldian Finch
- House Finch
- Star Finch
- Strawberry Finch
- Owl Finch
Zebra and society finches are the most commonly found and can range in price from $15 to $100 at most common pet retailers. You might be able to get a deal if you buy more than one, which is a good idea anyway with finches. In fact, experts say you should get more than one as a pet because they aren’t solitary animals. Some even recommend accumulating a flock of more than two, which will run you more money overall. Let’s assume, for the sake of this article, you’ll welcome only one into your home. That way, you can take the figures and multiply them as needed.
The best places to find pet birds are from smaller breeders, where your birds are more likely to be hand-raised by humans and, therefore, more prone to being somewhat used to human contact and socialization. But that isn’t to say that some big-name bird sellers don’t take care in raising their birds too. You can potentially find birds at a local shelter, or easily at pet shops like Petco and Petsmart.
It’s wise to inquire about your chosen seller’s policy about raising and handling their birds before taking home your feathered friends. However, if you want a snuggly bird, finches probably aren’t the right choice. They don’t typically like a whole lot of handling, even if they are hand-raised.
If you would rather purchase your finches online, several breeders are available. Some of them include:
Breeders will likely charge more than you would find at your local pet store. Depending on the species, you could pay as little as $15 but as much as $155 or more for one finch.
How Much Does a Finch Setup Cost?
Before you bring home finches, consider the expenses of setting up their habitat. Your new feathered friends will need a cage, toys, a proper diet, perches for resting, and bowls for food and drink. Additionally, having some first aid supplies on hand for potential injuries is a wise precaution to have on hand, and a bird bath can be a nice addition as well. Let’s take a closer look at each of these costs so you can get ready for your finches.
How much is a finch cage?
Finches are tiny birds, so they don’t need a tremendous amount of space, but they still need room to play, fly, eat, and sleep. You want to buy a cage at least 18 inches wide, 30 inches deep, and 18 inches tall with bar spacing between .25 and .50 inches. Even though finches don’t have strong bills like larger parrots, you may still want to opt for a stainless steel cage rather than plastic. The steel one will last longer, but be sure not to buy a painted one because your finches could chip the paint and get sick.
The cage could cost as little as $50 and could go up to $200. The more expensive ones likely have better features, like a top play area. Since the cages are typically light in weight because of their size, you might find a device on top where you can hang it from the ceiling. It’s better to keep your cage on a stable table to reduce the risk of it falling and harming your finch.
Other finch accessories and how much they cost
Now that you know how much a cage costs for your finch, there are other items to consider. You want to stock up on perches, toys, food dishes, and water dishes to set up their cage just right. Also, stock up on essential supplies such as food, treats, cage liners, and first aid items. Think about designating a play area to keep your finch entertained, as long as your bird’s wings are clipped — which is advisable. To give you a head start, here are the average prices of these items. With these, your little bird friend will be ready to move in.
- 2-pounds of bird seed: $8 to $12
- 2-pound bag of bird pellets: $10 to $12
- Fresh fruits and vegetables: varies by season and location
- Food and water bowls: $9 to $15
- Cage liners: $8 to $15
- Cage cleaner: $10 to $35
- Toys: $8 to $20 each
- Perches: $4 to $25 each
- First aid: $15 to $28 for BleedStop
- Treats: $4 to $8
- Play area outside cage: $20 to $70+
The start-up cost for all accessories for your new finch will be between $130 to $250 or more.
Monthly Expenses of a Finch
After ensuring you’ve covered the initial setup costs, it’s time to factor in the ongoing monthly expenses for your finch. These lively birds can live between 4 to 14 years, so while it’s not a lifelong commitment, your finch will likely be part of the family for a good stretch of time.
Because of their small size, taking care of a finch doesn’t cost a tremendous amount on a monthly basis. Between food, toy replacement, cage maintenance, and checkups at the vet (at least twice a year) you’re looking at between $50 and $100 of ongoing expenses. If your finch has an emergency, of course, that will come at a greater cost. Depending on location, many vets charge a minimum of $75 for just walking through the door, and that doesn’t count tests or medicine for your finch. So, keep that surprise cost in mind.
Before purchasing any pet bird, be sure there are veterinary avian experts in your area who can help you keep your finch as healthy as possible.
Also, think about vacations and who will take care of your bird while you’re gone. Finches are relatively easy to care for, but you want to have someone lined up who knows what they’re doing when it comes to birds.
Budget for Your Finch
Budgeting a finch into your finances doesn’t take much planning, but it is an extra expense, so plan accordingly. Putting a line item in your monthly budget plan just for your feathered friend is a good way to cover the costs without worry.
Remember, the more finches you add to your household, the more costs you’ll have. That said, consider adding at least two so that they can have a companion. Finches may bond with you on some level, but experts say they appreciate having bird friends with which to socialize. While not a must, it’s something to take into consideration. Your costs won’t exactly double with a pair, but they’ll bump up just a bit.
Kim is an avid bird watcher and owner in South Carolina. She loves identifying, studying, and feeding her feathered friends in their natural habitats. She also has first-hand experience as the owner of several species of exotic birds.