For the love of finches

Pint-sized and available in a range of colours, finches are a pet that won't get on the neighbours' nerves, says enthusiast Abdul Hannan Dinar, 35, from 'Pakbagicha' house in Manikganj town. With over a hundred finches of twenty-five species, Dinar speaks from experience.

“They aren't noisy like parakeets,” he says. “Finches are about the size of a sparrow, so they can be kept anywhere in the house. It's easy to give them sufficient flying space and breeding common varieties isn't difficult. To keep finches is joyful; but to look after them well, a little dedication is required.”

Pet birds are growing in popularity nationwide, according to Dinar, with more than one lakh people currently engaged in bird-rearing. “It's a type of addiction that doesn't spare anybody,” he jokes. “From children to housewives to the elderly, pet birds are popular. Caring for a bird brings mental satisfaction.”

Dinar inherited his interest from his father, who used to rear pigeons. “From childhood I dreamt of rearing birds,” he recalls. He turned his dream into reality in 2011, after passing his Masters degree from Manikganj Devendra College. Cordon bleu, owl, zebra, parrot and Gouldian: Dinar's finch varieties cost him up to Tk 6,000 per month in food and maintenance. He earns around Tk 1.5 lakhs per annum from selling bred birds. “Depending on the species, a finch will fetch between Tk 400 to Tk 40,000,” he says.

Asked to name his secret to successful finch breeding, he says there is none. “In the internet era there are no secrets,” he remarks. “I would only add that breeding birds required patience.”

He notes that some finch species are monomorphic, meaning males and females look alike, which makes it harder to be sure one has a pair. “For breeding, finches need space, decent nesting boxes, a bit of peace and quiet, as well as a proper diet and clean water, including for bathing. The African and Asian waxbill varieties prefer aviaries with lots of plants.”

It's a subject Dinar knows well. He is likely the only person in the country to have successfully bred several rare species including St Helena and orange-cheeked waxbills, the purple grenadier, crested pearl and chestnut Bengali finches, and the strawberry finch. He bred several new hybrids, too.

To ask Dinar which is his favourite variety is to leave him perplexed. He takes time to consider. “It's like having to choose a favourite child!” he exclaims. “If I really had to say, then probably the African waxbills are the most interesting. But I love all finches equally!”

Indeed his favourite memory of his hobby is achieving success in breeding the St Helena waxbill. “I kept them in a big aviary and they made nests a few times with no result. I had almost given up hope since there was a belief among finch-breeders that waxbills couldn't be bred in captivity. So the day I heard chicks begging for food inside the aviary I was both thrilled and astonished. I hadn't even realised the baby birds were there.”

In the wild finches live for about four years; but if well looked after in captivity they have a lifespan of seven to ten years. Dinar recommends finches are encouraged to breed only during their natural breeding season. “Many breeders have their finches breeding year-round like egg-laying chickens,” he says, “It shortens their lifespan and makes them prone to disease.”

Finches are suitable for everybody, says Dinar. “Newcomers can try less demanding species like zebra finches. They are found in abundance at pet markets and are locally called 'prince' by our enlightened shopkeepers.” Dinar is head administrator of the Facebook-based Finch Society of Bangladesh, where enthusiasts share their hobby, take advice and participate in competitions designed to encourage quality breeding.

In the humble finch Dinar sees yet more benefit than enjoyable recreation. “Keeping finches can make a person more active. It's a positive activity that can steer younger generations away from bad habits.”