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We have kept various members of the finch family over the years as they are attractive and generally easy to look after. Many of the species have bred and continue to breed within our large community. Some of them now form small communities of several generations and we have given up trying to keep track of individuals. Like tetras in a fish tank, they seem to fill some of the spaces left by the larger birds.

Most seem very hardy with the exception of the Diamond firetails. This is the only species which we seem to lose before old age. With many species we have successfully either bought or built up a community of 4 or more birds. As many of them seem to prefer to eat their seed from the ground, they are also good for keeping the aviary floor relatively clear, especially in winter.

They nest in a variety of boxes and baskets in different areas of the aviary; some prefering to be high up and in the open, others in low down and secluded spots. Some can become aggresively territorial when nesting (the zebras for example), but with such a large space this hasn't seemed to be too much of a problem.