How to Spot a Sick Finch

Whether you're adopting a new finch or monitoring your own finches, you need to be able to recognize the signs of sickness. You don't want to bring a sick finch into your flock, and you need to be able to intervene quickly when one of your finches gets sick.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. See if the finch refuses to fly or engage with other birds. Generally, finches only sit still to sleep, and they don't normally sleep on the floor of the cage.

2. Look at the finch's feathers. A sick finch holds her feathers slightly away from her body, giving her a fluffy look. A healthy finch holds her feathers near her body, making her look sleek. A sick bird may also have dull feathers that don't look like they've been preened.

3. Notice his breathing. When a finch breathes audibly or with an open beak, chances are that he has a respiratory ailment.

4. Monitor the finch's food and water intake. If you're familiar with the bird, notice any changes from her normal food and water habits.

5. Check his eyes. While a healthy finch holds his eyes open, a sick finch may keep his eyes half closed, even when he's interacting with others, or eating and drinking. You may also notice a discharge coming from his eyes.

6. Examine her vent. A wet or dirty vent area is almost invariably a sign of a sick finch.

7. Watch for any change in behavior. Because they're prey animals, finches are good at keeping their symptoms hidden. Any change in behavior may be an indication of sickness.

Tips & Warnings

• A finch may be sick even if she appears to be eating and drinking as much as usual.
• A too-small cage and a lack of natural light can cause a finch to become depressed and take on some of the characteristics of a sick bird. If your finch seems depressed, correct the environment first.

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