Zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) are the most common species of Australian finches and come from the family called Estrildid, which features the majority of aviculture-reared finches worldwide. It lives in the cool south and the extreme tropical north of the country, as well as in Indonesia and East Timor.
The essential
People have called zebras ‘flying mice’ because of the ease with which they reproduce. This is great if you are looking to start breeding or add a new species to your aviary, as there are very few specific requirements for them.
Zebra finches are happy to live in colonies with their own type of bird, as well as a wide variety of other species. They will live in peace with almost all other species of finches, canaries, British birds, pigeons, and even smaller parakeets.
When breeding, both birds can be somewhat defensive of their nest and will chase other zebras away. This is natural behavior and will spread when a chick fledges or leaves the nest, but it is never particularly aggressive or harms the other bird. It’s more of a loud, fast-flying warning to stay away from your house.
Feeding zebras is also quite simple. Use a good foreign finch mix as the base of your feeding regimen and supplement with egg food and some specialized seeds like niger or hemp seed. Fresh fruits and vegetables are very important for their health, and they will easily consume foods like spinach, kale, and cabbage and fruits like apple, pear, grapes, mango, and plums. With fruits such as apple and plum, remove the seeds or pits, as they contain small amounts of toxic substances, so it is better not to risk it. Access to grit or cuttlefish is also important, especially during the breeding season to replace the calcium used in egg production in the hen.
Breeding
Zebra finches do not have a particular breeding season like many birds do. They are activated in breeding conditions by light and heat levels or sometimes for no apparent reason! They like a variety of nesting materials and are surprisingly good little builders. Coir, jute, sisal, feathers, and even dry grass will be incorporated into the nest, which will usually be a vaulted affair. They will also happily use a half-open finch nest box, or one with only one hole.
Once the nest is finished, remove the excess nesting material; otherwise they will continue to build and even cover their eggs. From 2 to 7 eggs are ugly and are incubated by both birds for about two weeks. When the chicks hatch, they are tiny and almost hairless, blind, and helpless. They are fed by parents in the nest for about three weeks, at which time they are fully fledged and resemble an adult except for their black bill. One way to tell that the bird has matured is that the bill will change from black to bright red for a male bird or a duller red for a hen.
After fledging, the parents feed the chicks for at least two weeks, at which time they may or may not be competent in flight. If they are not the best at flying, they will look for nooks to hide, so always keep an eye out for chicks in strange places and make sure they don’t get stuck.
Zebras can breed at crazy ages of around three months, but it is advisable to wait until at least six months of age before allowing it. One way to ensure this is to keep males and females in separate cages until they are fully mature.
keep zebras
The life expectancy of these little birds is surprisingly long. In the wild, they live for around five years, but in captivity, 5-7 is an average, 12 is possible, and the oldest zebra was recorded at 14.5 years. They are relatively resistant to weather conditions, although any bird should be protected from the worst of the weather.
They will live happily in a good size cage as a pair or colony, or with other birds. They will also thrive on a flight or in a large avian cage and on a flight they can become quite friendly with humans when they can approach on their own terms. Standing very still with food in hand before the first meal is a good way to win them over, and some may happily jump into your hand to get to the food first.
Conclusion
No matter what your experience with birds is, zebra finches are a great bird to have. They need little specialized attention and can be easily reproduced with a few simple supplies. They also come in a range of colors and different mutations, so you can quickly get involved in the fun side of genetics and learn which pairing can produce which colors. But overall, they are fantastic little characters that will quickly win your heart.