Welcome Aboard!
Our two new team members can be a bit flighty, but are certainly full of song. Most of the time they don’t make a peep.
We are pleased to introduce Captain Blackbeak (in the front) and his faithful companion, Calypso (towards the back). These two are Society Finches and just under a year old.
PetSmart brought in Captain Blackbeak for Dr. Cherney to check over. He had an injured foot. Calypso was along for moral support. While not sure how the foot was initially injured, he did end up losing it. If you look closely in the picture above, he is missing his right foot.
With just a stick-like appearance to his leg, the pirate-themed name was the only way to go. And he gets around just fine with one foot.
Our treatment area isn’t always the quietest for birds (they offer a bit too much temptation for some of our other patients), so we kept them in the reception area. Society finches are quiet and if they do make sounds, their chirps are soft, melodic, and rather soothing. Think nature sounds on a sound machine.
Captain Blackbeard getting some pellets while Calypso waits.
The staff fell in love. Even Sandy.
After minor pleading with the boss, they were ours. And the rest is history!
Next time you are in, look for their cage in our front office area. Just ask if you’d like to see them up close, you are more than welcome.
Fast Facts
- The average lifespan is 8-10 years.
- They are very easy to care for.
- They love seeds, but do well with pellets as well for a more balanced diet. They do require a cuttlebone for calcium and grit for digestion.
- They like to play with bells and regularly check themselves out in a mirror.
Social Society Finches
They are a completely domestic bird and not found in the wild. They are extremely social birds, which is how they received the name society finch. It’s best to have at least two and they are happy in bigger groups as well.
While cliché, birds of a feather do flock together in this case as they will all cram into one nest at night, even if there is barely room for all of them to fit.
They make excellent foster parents and are usually willing to take on a clutch of eggs or abandoned chicks, even if it is another finch species.
They often will all work as a team together, especially if there is a clutch of eggs. Everyone will help pitch in to care for the babies.
