Zebra finches as pets.

[Wing]

How are zebra finches as pets? I've seen a lot of them lately and they're so cute! Can they be hand-tamed so you can take them out? Just wondering. I'd still love them even if they can't come out. (I'm trying to see the possibilites for my next pet bird and I can't leave zebra finches out of the picture)

[Monica]

If you can get a zebra finch from a breeder, newly weaned you might be able to tame it.... though finches normally tend to be for "show" than "pet". It's possible to have tame zebras, but it's easier to get one that has been worked with some as a chick rather than getting solely a parent raised bird...

[birdsnthings]

I have heard of finches being pets but they were hand fed as babies....one that is parent raised? Well, you never know!
Alice

[Rue]

Zebras are more hands-off, but they learn quickly, my daughter lets her finches out of the cage for free-flight times, and they've learned to fly back in when she begins the 'round-up'...

I think though, if you can get them young enough, Java Rice Sparrows are your best bet to hand-tame...however, by the time they're at a pet store, they might be too old...you'd have to get them from a breeder...

[Wing]

Ok, thanks everyone. I'll definately be doing some more research on zebra finches soon.