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Introduction

      Finches are charming companions, adding a little bit of life to an empty corner of any home. Whether you plan on having just a pair, or would like a whole aviary full, finches offer a glimpse into the natural world, and give owners hours of watching and listening pleasure. They are easy to care for, relatively quiet, and some are prettier than a rainbow. What more could you ask for in a birdy friend?

About This Book

      Finches For Dummies is a book I wrote for people interested in finches. Maybe you just bought finches or a canary and need the essential scoop on getting set up as well as general care information. Or, you may already have finches and you need a refresher on the best way to take care of your companions or want to understand them better. Perhaps you’re ready for a new feathered friend but aren’t sure if finches are right for you and your family. If any of the above describes you, keep on readin’.

      As you read, keep an eye out for text in italics, which indicates a new term and a nearby definition — no need to spend time hunting through a glossary. And monofont points out web addresses for additional information worth checking out. You'll also run into a few sidebars (the occasional gray box); although the information in the sidebars is good, it’s not essential to the discussion at hand, so skip ’em if you want to.

Foolish Assumptions

      In writing Finches For Dummies, I made some assumptions about my readers:

      Whatever the case, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned finch guardian, there’s something in this book for you.

Icons Used in This Book

      While reading Finches For Dummies, be on the lookout for these icons, sprinkled here and there:

Beyond the Book

      You can find a little more helpful finches-related information on https://www.dummies.com, where you can peruse this book’s Cheat Sheet. To get this handy resource, go to the website and type Finches For Dummies Cheat Sheet in the Search box.

Where to Go from Here

      Finches For Dummies is a reference, so you don’t have to read it in order from start to finish. Begin with Chapter 5 if you need basic setup information, flip to Chapter 9 if you’re thinking about breeding finches, or head to Chapter 2 if you’re still on the fence about adding finches to your family. (Although those of you who prefer to start at the beginning and read until you reach the back cover are welcome to do so. I’ll never tell.)

Part 1

      Introducing Finches

IN THIS PART …

      Finding out if finches are perfect for you

      Exploring the various species of finches

      Finding the right finches for your family

Chapter 1

      Finches: More Than Just Pretty, Chatty Birds

      IN THIS CHAPTER

      

Knowing what a finch is

      

Understanding finch anatomy

      

Looking at the different varieties of finches

      

Getting in touch with finch clubs and societies

      The term finch is actually a very broad term, encompassing hundreds of species and subspecies, from canaries to sparrows. In general, finches are small songbirds that come in an amazing variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. They all have short, cone-shaped bills adapted to the type of food they typically eat. All finches are seed eaters, but most will eat other vegetation and insects as well.

Finches have been kept as companions for hundreds of years. The Chinese and Japanese have been breeding finches since the 1600s — for example, the society finch (also known as the Bengalese finch) is not found in the wild because it was developed (domesticated) by humans, much as breeds of dogs were. It’s also one of the most widely kept finches today. The canary is the oldest domesticated bird, having been bred in captivity for many centuries, and, like dogs, bred for certain traits, such as color, feather type, or song (its ancestor, the serin finch, is still found in the wild in the Canary Islands). Finches that have a long history with humans do very well as companion birds. They tend to be hardier and less skittish than other types of birds, who haven’t been around the bird scene for as long.

      In the following sections, I show you what makes a finch a finch.

Where

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