Nikki Moustaki - Finches For Dummies

9 Chapter 9FIGURE 9-1: This zebra finch nestling may need to be handfed if its parents hav...

1 Cover

2 Title Page

3 Copyright

4 Table of Contents

5 Begin Reading

6 Index

7 About the Author

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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?

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 monofontpoints 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.

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

You’re one of the millions of people who wants finches or who has a family member who wants one (or more) and you’ve come to this book to learn about their care.

You already have a canary or some finches, maybe a pair or a flock, and you want to brush up on finch care and learn a few things that you don’t already know.

Maybe you’re a volunteer at a bird shelter or rescue and you want to be able to educate your adopters more thoroughly.

Perhaps you want to begin breeding these popular little birds and want some information on how to make that process go smoothly.

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

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

This icon flags tips and tricks that will help you be the best finch friend you can be.

This icon points out information that’s so important you’ll want to be sure to remember it.

This icon highlights information on things that could harm you or your finches.

This icon flags information that you can use to impress your friends with your amazing bird knowledge, but it isn’t absolutely necessary, so don’t feel the need to memorize it.

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.

Finches For Dummies is a reference, so you don’t have to read it in order from start to finish. Begin with Chapter 5if you need basic setup information, flip to Chapter 9if you’re thinking about breeding finches, or head to Chapter 2if 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

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

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.