Characteristics of a Finch Bird
True finches are small birds of the Fringillidae family, which includes the subfamilies of Estrildidae, Passeridae and Ploceidae. However, there are several birds with the finch name that belong to other families, such as bunting, sparrow or waxbill. Many individuals keep finches as pets, as they are known for their colorful plumage and occasional singing. Historically, Charles Darwin studied finch species in the Galapagos while developing his theory of evolution.
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Size and Weight
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According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), full-grown finches can be between three inches and eight inches in height, and can reach between approximately 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce (or 16 and 27 grams) in weight.
Split Tails
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True finches all have 12 tail feathers, which--according to the RSPB--are split into two sections, and have a notched or forked appearance.
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Pointed Wings
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According to Bird Houses 101, all true finches have nine primary feathers on each wing. These feathers are responsible for flight, and project out along the wings' outer edges. The wings typically end in a moderate (or slightly rounded) point.
Body Shape and Color
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Most finches have rounded heads and rounded torsos. However--according to the RSPB--some species may have more elongated bodies. Finches come in a wide array of colors. While some species, like the bullfinch, crossbill, linnet and chaffinch have reddish or auburn bodies, others, like the goldfinch, siskin and serin, have yellowish or golden bodies.
Triangular Beaks
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According to the RSPB, most finches have beaks (or bills) that are relatively triangular. However, the precise shape varies among species in accordance with what they eat. For example, the goldfinch has a long, skinny beak for extracting seeds from teasels and thistles.
Sounds
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Finches generally make two types of sounds, according to the RSPB: flight calls (which make a distinctive "vweet" sound) and songs, which can range from the very simple to the very complex. According to the National Finch and Softbill Society, some species of finch, such as the red-headed finch, can even talk, which they accomplish through imitating human sounds.
Life Span
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According to the website Animal-World, most finches in captivity live to be between 5 and 10 years old. However, some have been known to live as long as 27 years.
Egg Laying
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Most female finches will lay one egg per day. However, according to Animal-World, in some finch species females will lay up to 10 per day. Finch eggs typically hatch at around two weeks and--in the wild--the hatchlings will leave their mothers' nests at around 3 weeks in age.
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References
- Photo Credit Bullfinch, pyrrhula pyrrhula image by shenk1 from Fotolia.com
