I recently had a European gold finch imported to me from a specialty pet store in London. The bird is about four weeks old and was shipped to me on a freighter, and then sent from New York to Chicago, where I reside. I've always read that they eat a combination of thistles, other small seeds and insects when they are young. But I'm worried that while my finch, Bertie, was in transit, his diet was corrupted. He seems to crave human food, and has swiped some peanuts and potato chips right off of my dinner table! I am worried and don't know what to do. Bertie only picks at his seeds and refuses the small worms I've given him completely.
You really should be careful BobCard. Eating human foods can be deadly for your finch. My Auntie Mabel used to have a finch and she would feed it cold cuts all the time. Her bird died within the year of acquiring it. I would say not to let it out of its cage so it won't have access to whatever you're a snackin' on. Just keep pushing the seeds on it.