The Euro-Society Finch – Dark (North America) or Bengalese finch (elsewhere), Lonchura striata domestica or L. domestica, is a popular cage bird not found in the wild. Although their history is not clear, the Society Finch was developed through selective breeding of other finches, and its ancestry included the White-rump (or White-rumped) Mannikin Lonchura finches. Because the Society Finch is so tolerant of others, they do well housed with other species and are often used as foster parents for other finch species. (Before using as foster birds, it is advised to test and ensure your society birds are clean and do are not carriers for any diseases that could be problematic for other finch birds.) These birds like to be close together and tend to all roost in one nest if kept in a group. In an aviary they lay eggs and crowd into a single nest, interfering with incubation (which is performed by the female and lasts 14 days) or damaging the eggs. Thus they breed better if kept as single pairs in individual breeding boxes.
Geography: Asia
Song: The Bengalese song tends to be a squeaky warble or rattle of notes. Songs vary among individual males and may sound more like the song of the male who raised them (even if fostered by a different species).
Size / Weight: 5″ / 11 gm
Live Span: 7 to 8 years
Sexing: Euro Society finches are unable to be sexed visually.
DNA Testing
If there is no gender option listed for a bird on our website, that particular species is ‘monomorphic’, which means we’re unable to determine gender without purchasing DNA testing. DNA testing is an additional $149 per bird to guarantee preferred gender. DNA testing may add an additional 3-6 plus weeks to estimated delivery time to allow for gender results. See our FAQs for more info.
Temperament: The Society Finch is one of the most peaceful of finches. It is gregarious, calm and social with others of their own species as well as other finch species. They are rarely aggressive and will be the first to back down if confronted by another, more aggressive finch.
Breeding: Easy to breed and are good foster parents for other finch-like birds.
Diet: Goldfinch Seed, Australian Blend Goldenfeast, Dried Egg Food, Millet Sprays, Cuttlefish Bone
