Ask Lafeber

Finch Companions

We have an elderly conure. His bird room buddy, a parrotlet, passed away a couple of months ago (old age). We got a pair of male zebra finches as company in the bird room. One of them died suddenly last week (unknown cause). The remaining one seems ok at the moment (apparently healthy, still singing), but is a conure a few feet away enough companionship? Or should we get another finch to share his cage (after a quarantine period of course)? Is he likely to fight with another male zebra finch? We were wondering about getting a society finch as being maybe more docile and less likely to squabble, but we also don’t want a buddy that will get picked on… and we DON’T want a breeding pair.

Hi Laurie,

Finches do better with a companion. In most cases two males will get along  – just do not give them a nest. They don’t need a nest to sleep in and it just makes them want to breed and they end up fighting. Of course there is no guarantee the birds will get along whether you get a male, female or a society finch. But usually they do fine. It is best if you have an extra cage and can keep them side by side to begin with so they can get used to each other.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda