Expert: Julia Booth - 9/7/2008

Question
Hello, I have a baby house finch about a month old. I have been raising it sense it fell out of it's nest. It is ready to fly. But doesn't know how to get down out of the trees and get to the seeds. It still thinks I'm his mom and comes to me when i call it to eat. I put him back in his cage where i feed him wet Purina cat food. He still can't crack black oil sun flower seeds.I have been feeding him mullet seeds and he does fine on those. Do have any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

Answer
It should be ready to fledge any day now. Four weeks is average for finches. I would just take it outside and see if it flies away. Let it sit in your palm (like holding a tiny pizza) and gently pump your hand up and down to simulate the flapping of wings. If he reacts and takes off, then he's ready. Try again each day until he's able to fly. House finches generally do not stay with their parents, once they leave the nest. So you shouldn't feel guilty about attachment. He will be able to feed himself just fine.

Julia