FINCHES
AS CHICKS - I never intended to tame my finches. But upon watching a pair of week-old Gouldian chicks abandoned my their parents and rejected by the Societies, I decided to hand feed them. (Sources I used to learn how to do this are listed on my links page.) Week-old chicks need to be fed every 2 hours and can go as long as 6-7 hours at night between feedings. To my surprise, they prospered. Before I knew it, they were flying out of the aquarium, where they lived then, and sitting on my finger to have me feed them. At that point, they weren't as pretty as adult Goulds. Even more so, since they were hand fed. The other birds I've had that were parent-raised have been plumper and had a greater sheen to their feathers.
Tame male cock, Pippa |
Tame white-breasted hen, Laeli |
NOW GROWN - We've become fast friends. Each morning Pippa comes out to greet me with his characteristic sounds and sometimes a song. He flies in and out of the bird room until Laeli comes out to join him. Then they will spend most of the day with me as I work at my desk.
Pippa in the bathroom. Both Pippa
and Laeli love
the bathroom. Perhaps the attraction is the mirrors
and the water. I've placed a small bird bath in there
for them. Laeli loves it, but Pippa is a little shy
about using it.
I've not tried to train them. I've just given them lots of attention since I started to feed them. I've always greeted them when they fly into the room with me. When I put out my finger, they step up. Sometimes they enjoy riding about the house on my shoulder. Their favorite place to do the mating dance is on my desk chair (for photos of this, see the Gouldians page). I can turn around to watch it while I am sitting in my chair and not disturb them. Laeli's favorite perching place is a mobile of shells hung from a piece of driftwood. (See photo of "Resting Goulds" on Gouldians page.) She lands on the driftwood, throwing the mobile off balance and rattling the shells. I watch her bouncing up and down on the swaying driftwood. She never tires of landing on this perch.
I feel honored to be part of their finch world in my own human way. They are a very special part of my life now.
Laeli & Pippa as chicks at feeding time |
Laeli, a well-fed & sleepy, little chick |
Please e-mail me if this site does not function optimally. Copyright © Mary Delle LeBeau 2003 |
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Tame
Finches