Zebra Finch:

Zebra finches are the most common finch species that are used as pets. They don’t require much care and time. That’s why they are an excellent choice for new bird owners.

Zebra Finch Scientific name: 

Scientific name of zebra finch is “Poephila guttata” or “Taeniopygia guttata”.

Some common names: 

1. Some common names of zebra finch are,
2. Spotted sided finch and Chestnut eared finch.

Zebra Finch Size: 

The average size of zebra finch is 4 inches.

Zebra Finch Weight: 

The average weight of zebra finch is 12 grams.

Zebra Finch Appearance: 

1. Zebra finches are small.
2. They are dimorphic (males and females have different colouration).
3. Males have gray cultured heads and backs, white and black tails and orange cheek patches.
4. Males also have spotted chestnut (brown) colour on the sides of body.
5. Females have gray coloured body. They are less distinctive as compared to males.
6. Both the males and females have reddish orange beak. The colour intensity is greater in males as compared to females.
7. Their eyes are also red coloured.

Zebra Finch Temperament: 

• Zebra finches are small and active.
• They need large cages for flight purposes.
• They are social.
• To avoid breeding between males and females, it is advised to keep both the sexes in different cages.
• They require time to become friendly with the owner even though they are social.

Zebra Finch Behavior: 

• Zebra finches are diurnal, social, motile and sedentary.
• They recognize the members of their groups that are separated during breeding, by songs.
• They travel long distances in search of food.

Zebra Finch Breeding: 

1. Zebra finches are monogamous.
2. Songs sung by males, hissing noise and courtship dance are the part of mating rituals.
3. They breed after heavy rainfalls. The breeding season is not known. It’s not specific.
4. 50 zebra finches are breeding flocks.
5. Female lays 4 to 6 eggs.
6. Both the parents incubate the egg until hatching.
7. After hatching, both of the parents take turns for sitting on the nest to go in the search of food.
8. After three weeks, the chick becomes able to go in search of food by its own.

Zebra Finch Communication: 

1. Zebra finches communicate with the help of vocalizations and movements.
2. They are well known for their songs.
3. They also use some calls including soft calls as well as powerful calls.
4. The soft calls are for mating.
5. The powerful calls are for warning.
6. Chicks produce chirping noise while feeding.

Zebra Finch Diet: 

• Zebra finches are mainly herbivores.
• They eat dehusking seeds by their well-adapted beaks.
• They can also eat fruits, vegetables and insects.

Zebra Finch Predation: 

• Small mammals are predators of zebra finches.
• The predators include snakes, dasyurids and mice.

Relationship Between Humans And Zebra Finches: 

1. Zebra finches are widely used as pets.
2. If tamed from the young age then they can become friendly.
3. They are social.
4. They exhibit beautiful songs and colours.
5. They are also important for studying mate choice and pair bonds.

Conservation Status: 

• The conservation status of zebra finches is least concern.
• They are abundant and their populations are not declining.

Zebra Finch Lifespan: 

The average lifespan of zebra finch is 3 to 5 years.

Zebra Finch Food: 

1. Zebra finches are herbivores.
2. They most eat seeds.
3. Their beaks are well adapted for dehusking seeds.
4. They can also eat fruits, vegetables and insects.

Zebra Finch Female: 

1. Zebra finches are dimorphic i.e. males and females are distinguished by different colouration.
2. Females have gray colour on their whole body. That’s why they are less distinctive as compared to males that have multiple colours on their body.
3. Reddish orange beak and red eyes are common features.

Zebra Finch As Pets: 

1. Zebra finches are the most common finch species that are used as pets.
2. They are social.
3. They become friendly if they are tamed at the young age.
4. They are mostly kept in pairs with same gender.
5. They are the best for bird owners.

Zebra Finch Care: 

It is important to take good care of your pet.

1. The cage should be not too long or too short. It should be moderate sized.
2. There should be surplus amount of perches supplied.
3. There should also be some swings and ladders.
4. The cage should be placed in quiet location.
5. Avoid placing them in extreme temperatures.

Zebra Finch Colour Mutations: 

There are many colour mutations of zebra finch. These inculde,

Grey:

Wild type zebra finches exhibit grey body colour with orange patches on cheeks.

Black cheek: 

Black cheek patches appear on both the sexes.

Black breast: 

Males have comparatively larger black breast.

Black face: 

Males have black colour on their face more than females. The colour intensity is greater in males.

Crested: 

This mutation has feathers on the top of head.

Chestnut flanked white:

Both the sexes have white coloured body.

Zebra Finch Foot Problems: 

The foot problems include,

Bumblefoot: 

1. Bird’s feet become swollen.
2. Caused by an infection, fatty diet and lack of exercise.
3. The treatment is an ointment provided by the vet and also cleaning of the cage regularly.

Knemidocoptiasis: 

1. In this disease, the bird’s feet become scaly.
2. Caused by mites.
3. Ivermectin is the treatment prescribed by vet.

Zebra Finch Guide: 

General guide to keep zebra finches is,

1. The cage provided should be medium sized.
2. The perches supplied should be in greater amount.
3. The cage should be placed in quiet location in your home.
4. Swings and ladders should also be provided.
5. Extreme temperatures should be avoided.

Zebra Finch Habitat: 

• Zebra finches are native to Australia.
• They live in dry habitats including non-vegetated areas having small trees and shrubs.

How To Play With A Zebra Finch?

Following are the ways to keep your zebra finch entertained.

Long cages: 

The cage should not be small so that the bird can easily fly because finches love flight.

More perches: 

Provide as much perches as you can because finches love hoping from one perch to another.

Climbing ladder: 

Climbing ladder can serve as the most important tool because finches love climbing.

Toys:

Buy some toys that finches can destroy because they love pecking and chewing.

How To Take Care Of A Zebra Finch? 

1. Provide your pet with a long cage.
2. Swings and ladders should be provided.
3. There should be huge amount of perches.
4. There should be toys that can be destroyed by finches.

How Much Does A Zebra Finch Cost? 

1. Zebra finches are available in pet stores and bird breeders in different colour mutations.
2. On an average, a zebra finch’s cost is about $10 to $100.

How To Tell Zebra Finch Gender? 

1. The dimorphic characteristic of zebra finches tells us about their gender.
2. Males are more distinguishable because of exhibiting greater intensity of colour as compared to females.
3. Males have gray coloured heads and backs, white and black tails and orange patches on cheeks.
4. Males also have brown colour on the sides of their body.
5. Females have gray colour on their whole body. That’s why they are less distinctive.

Conclusion: 

Zebra finches are the most attractive species of finches that are native to Australia. They serve as wonderful pets because of their social behavior. They have dimorphic characteristic which makes them unique.