There are a variety of fruits and vegetables that make excellent treats for finches. However, these foods should not make up the bulk of your finch's diet. In the wild, finches thrive on seeds. However, in captivity, the best pet finch food is usually a commercial pellet food that has all the nutrients your bird needs.
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Finches food list: vegetables
There are many safe fruits and vegetables you can feed your bird. If you are ever in doubt about the safety of a certain food, consult your veterinarian before feeding it to your finch. Regardless of the foods you decide to offer, make sure you do so in moderation.
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Some safe vegetables to consider include squash, sweet potato, zucchini, and beetroot. Greens, like spinach, are a nutritious snack for your bird. You can also serve a variety of peppers, including chilies and jalapenos. Some other options to consider include bean sprouts, corn, peas, carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Finches food list: fruits
Finches may enjoy a variety of fruits and berries. In the wild, finches enjoy berries, and you can easily add these to your bird's diet. Consider options such as cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
The birds also enjoy many types of melon, including seedless watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe. Tropical fruits, such as mango, kiwi, and passionfruit, are safe and healthy for your finch.
You can also consider some fruits that are not only common in the grocery store but in many home gardens. Examples include apples, peaches, and plums. Other safe fruits include bananas, grapes, and cherries.
Fruits and vegetables to avoid
There are a few foods that are toxic to birds and that you should avoid at all costs. Avocado is one of these foods. Don't feed your bird avocado or allow your bird near avocado or foods like guacamole that are made from the fruit.
You should also avoid feeding your bird onions and garlic, which are toxic to many species. In addition, make sure you remove the pits and seeds from fruits such as apples, cherries, and peaches. While the flesh of the fruit is safe, the seeds contain cyanide that can harm your bird. In addition, the leaves of many plants are toxic to your finch, including rhubarb and members of the nightshade family, like peppers and tomatoes.
There are some other foods that aren't toxic to your bird, but since they have such a low nutrient content, it is best to avoid them in favor of more nutritious choices. Some examples include celery and iceberg lettuce.
Finch diet considerations
Fruits and vegetables should make up only about 20 percent of your finch's diet. Prior to feeding these foods to your bird, make sure the food is cut into pieces that are a manageable size for your bird and that they are thoroughly cleaned to remove any pesticides and herbicides that may be present.
Some birds may develop a favorite fruit, vegetable, or seed. While it is tempting to offer your finch more of this favorite treat, it is often best to offer a bit less so that your bird gets enough variety of foods to remain healthy. You may even need to remove this food from your finch's diet for a period of time.
While some finches will do well on a seed-based diet, it is not uncommon for a finch to select a favorite seed or two from the commercial birdseed mixture. Unfortunately, a common favorite is millet seed, which does not have sufficient nutrients to keep your finch healthy. A diet that is primarily pellet food ensures your bird gets the vitamins and minerals she needs.