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What can you tell me about caring for finches? I will get getting a pair of newly weaned ones in a week or so....given to me...zebra finches. What can you tell me? I have a tiel, and I've had parakeets before, but never finches!

What do they eat?
Do you take them out of their cage or leave them in?
Etc?

Finches are not interactive birds. They are more to be enjoyed for their looks & their antics in the cage. My husband & I have 42 finches & 7 cockatiels. We have had the tiels only a few months, we got our 1st finches nearly a year ago. You are in for a treat! Finches are so much fun to watch & listen to. 2 zebras will be nowhere near as noisy as my bunch but still will be quite constant with the little beeps & chirps. If you are getting 2 from the same clutch don't put a nest in. Finches are usually prolific at having babies & you don't want siblings breeding. Buy them a high quality finch seed, you can also try converting them to Zupreem finch pellets which will be better for them in the long run. Millet sprays are loved, also get a cuttle bone for the calcium. Most finches like a bath in a shallow bowl every day. Mine like long hanging toys made of colored braided jute & thin pieces of rawhide to tug on. And don't forget a small swing. They love to fly back & forth with stops on the swing. With just 2 finches I would get a 30 x 18 cage, with finches length to fly in is most important as they are very active, constantly on the move. I don't cover mine @ night, but do put a small night light in the room as they get frightened easily in the dark. I know this is long & windy but when I first got my finches I did not have any ideas about what to do, There is a wonderful finch site, the Finch Forum, where they will give you lots of support with any questions you come up with. I hope you enjoy your new babies
Donna

Thanks! Anyone else?

Donna gave some good advice there. My only additions would be, first, to give them some cover to roost in; makes them feel safer. Just a few artificial flowers/foliage over a high perch does the trick. And second, don't forget the fresh food: greens of all kinds, carrots, corn, rice, fruit, some egg w' shell occasionally for the protein & calcium.

These little guys are such a joy to watch. Enjoy!!

Cheers,
Pat