How to Teach a Child to Handle a Finch

The finch is one of the most popular household birds, and it can be an easy-to-care-for pet as long as you invest the time to learn about its basic care. Your finch may be most comfortable living in a home that is free from children and other pets. However, if you do have a child, follow these steps on how to teach a child to handle a finch.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Teach your child to be quiet when around the finch and never to poke at or shake its cage. Supervise your child at all times while she is around your pet finch. Because of its flighty nature, a pet finch will frighten and stress easily if encountered by a loud child. A finch considers everything bigger than it is to be a predator.
2. Reach into the finch's cage and cup your hands around the bird. Your grasp should be firm enough so that the finch cannot wriggle free, but not so tight that the bird squeals in pain. Your thumb and index finger should close around the finch's neck and head to prevent it from escaping. Show your child how to hold the wings close to the finch's body so that the bird cannot hurt itself.
3. Explain to your child that, because a finch is a skittish and delicate bird, he should never handle it without adult supervision. A finch is a bird meant almost entirely for observation.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a child in the house and are considering purchasing a pet finch, keep in mind that a finch can be a nervous animal. Children are inquisitive individuals, and their curious nature does not always bode well for the delicate finch. Consider an alternative pet if you have a young child who is not yet able to understand the needs of a pet finch.
• Advise your child never to try to pick up a finch by its tail feathers, as this can permanently damage the finch and decrease its flight.