House finches are reputed to be the most widely dispersed songbird in North America. In the U.S, it is illegal to keep them in captivity, In Mexico, where it is legal, they are among the most popular "pet" birds. From what I have seen there, I wish that there weren't any housed house finches.

Housed House Finches

I'm with you on this issue, Les.

I prefer that birds be left in the wild, but because there are caged birds everywhere, my view is to offer them the best you can as far as habitat and feed.

When I kept birds years ago they always had the largest cages I could afford, with the canaries and finches in flight cages. I prefered feeding a pelleted diet to give them a wide range of vitamins, but also seed, fruit, veggies, beans, greens, and once in a while a bit of hard boiled egg. My birds were very healthy, with the canaries living up to 15 years old, their maximum lifespan. My birds in general were happy, singing and flying around their cages.

It is a shame to see a flighted animal contained in a small cage with poor nutrition to boot. I think it is cruel and very sad. Due to ignorance, greed, and insensitivity, poor conditions can and do exist for just about every animal kept in captivity. People should be more sensitive to every feeling animal and strive to offer what would be best for the animal's welfare and happiness.

Les, thanks for the article! I often wondered how House Finches came to the NY area from the west coast and then spread. I lived and birded in Long Island in the 1950's, and never saw a House Finch until 1983 on Cape Cod. I moved to northern Indiana in 1959, and started seeing House Finches there in the late '80's and they soon became the most plentiful backyard bird there until an epidemic of eye infections nearly wiped them out about 15 years ago. Since then the infection died down but has kept their local population stabilized at much lower numbers. These days I only get a pair or 2 living around my yard. And yes, I do love their song!