What do Gouldian Finches eat? If you’ve ever owned a Gouldian Finch, or any type of finch for that matter, then you know how discerning they can be when it comes to their food. These little birds have very specific tastes, and will often turn their beaks up at something that most other birds would devour in a heartbeat.
If you’re thinking about getting a Gouldian Finch as a pet, here are some things you should know before committing. First and foremost, these birds have some pretty unusual dietary requirements. Their unique taste buds make them picky eaters so they need foods that meet their demands.
Moreover, because of their small size, they also have very particular eating habits. Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy options available if you’re thinking about keeping a Gouldian Finch as a pet. However, before we get into that let’s take a look at what do gouldian finches eat.
Fresh Vegetables
Gouldian Finches love fresh vegetables. However, like most birds, they have to be raw. So make sure to choose fresh vegetables and avoid the ones that have been cooked or canned. Vegetables are important for finches because they provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are essential to the bird’s health.
Some great options are broccoli, cilantro, carrots, kale, spinach, bell peppers, and celery. If you’re trying to get finches to eat vegetables, you might want to start by giving them small amounts.
You don’t want to overwhelm your bird’s stomach with veggies because they are a rich source of fiber and can cause digestive issues. You should also consider offering vegetables that are high in protein, like broccoli and cilantro, as this will help your bird get all the nutrients it needs.
Fruit
As with most birds, Gouldian Finches love fruit. However, any fresh fruits that have been peeled and cut into small bite-sized pieces make for great treats for finches. Just like vegetables, any fresh fruits that have been peeled, cut, and served as is without any added sugar make for great treats for finches.
Some great fruits to offer your finches include apples, bananas, berries, grapes, oranges, pomegranates, kiwis, and mangoes. As with vegetables, you want to be careful when feeding your finches fruits. Make sure you don’t give them too much because they can cause digestive issues especially if they’re high in sugar.
Sprouted Seeds
Like many other types of birds, finches love sprouted seeds. However, unlike other birds, finches don’t like raw seeds. Instead, you’ll have to sprout the seeds and then dehydrate them. If you’ve never sprouted seeds, here is a quick explanation.
Seeds are rich in nutrients that are beneficial to both humans and birds. However, these seeds are encased in a hard shell that is difficult for our bodies to break down. Sprouting seeds can help unlock these nutrients by breaking down the shell.
To sprout seeds, all you have to do is soak them in water for a few hours. You can then transfer the seeds to a wet paper towel, and they should grow roots in a few days. Once the sprouts are fully grown, you can dehydrate them in your oven on the lowest setting until they are completely dry.
Spray Millet
Gouldian Finches like millet, but they also enjoy sprouted seeds like the ones that have been mentioned above. What makes millet different from sprouted seeds is it’s been dried and ground into a fine powder.
Millet is very high in fiber, which is important for digestion. It also contains vitamins B and E as well as iron, magnesium, and selenium. The benefits don’t end there, though.
Millet also has high amounts of protein. This makes it a great food for finches that are growing or have young chicks. Millet is also an excellent food for finches with sensitive stomachs as well as those that suffer from diarrhea.
Dried Beans and Lentils
Dried beans and lentils are a great source of protein, iron, and B vitamins. Additionally, they are also a rich source of dietary fiber. Dried beans and lentils can be sprouted as well, but they also make a great treat when they are just the dried versions.
Dried beans and lentils make great treats for Gouldian Finches because they are easy to digest. However, you should avoid giving them raw beans and lentils as they are difficult to digest. Instead, you should cook them and then dehydrate them.
Insects
Last but not least, we have insects. Yes, you read that correctly. You can choose to feed your finches insects. Insects are high in protein, low in fat, and rich in minerals and vitamins. They also contain fiber, essential fatty acids, and a slew of other nutrients that are great for your bird’s health.
So why not feed your finches insects? Well, there are a few concerns. First, insects are not regulated, so you don’t know where they’re coming from or what they’ve been treated with.
The next concern is that a high percentage of insects are contaminated with toxic substances. That being said, you can feed your finches insects that have been bred indoors and are safe to eat.
Conclusion
Gouldian Finches are beautiful little birds that make great pets. However, they also have some unusual dietary needs. Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy options available if you’re thinking about keeping a Gouldian Finch as a pet. But before you commit, you should know what do gouldian finches eat.
Fresh vegetables, fruits, sprouted seeds, and dried beans and lentils are great treats for finches. You can feed them insects and millet as a treat as well. Just make sure you avoid feeding them cooked or canned vegetables and fruits. These foods are hard for finches to digest and could lead to digestive issues.
