Zebra Finch

Zebra finch, commonly found in Central Australia, is a small gray-white bird with a thick, pointed triangular beak. Being a popular choice of pet, these birds have been bred in captivity for many years.

Scientific Classification
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Estrildidae
Genus	Taeniopygia
Scientific name	Taeniopygia guttata

Quick Information
Other names	Chestnut-eared finch, spotted-sided finch, and Nyi-Nyi
Where are they from	Australia, Lesser Sunda Island (North-west Australia), Indonesia, East Timor
Habitat	Open steppes, grassland, and forests near water bodies
Color	White chest and abdomen with brownish to grayish wings; chestnut patches with white dots under the wings and a white line extending from the eyes Gender dimorphism: males have a reddish-orange beak, and a bright orange patch on each side of the face. Females have paler beaks
Size	10cm to 11cm
Wingspan	22cm
Weight	15gm to 20gm
Diet	Grass seeds
How long do they live	About 5 years in the wild
Breeding age	Over 6 weeks
Incubation period	12 to 16 days
Clutch size	4 to 8 eggs
Fledging	3 to 4 weeks
Sounds	‘beep’, ‘meep’, ‘a-ha!’, ‘oi!’  Singing ability: Seen only in males
Temperament	Active, Calm
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern
Subspecies	Taeniopygia guttata guttata (Timor zebra finch) Taeniopygia guttata castanotis

Color Mutations

• White zebra finch
• Pied zebra finch
• Florida fancy zebra finch
• Black-cheeked finch
• Black-breasted zebra finch
• Black-faced zebra finch
• Orange-breasted zebra finch
• Fawn or gray cheek finch
• Dominant silver zebra finch
• Eumo zebra finch
• Chestnut-flanked white or CFW zebra finch
• Crested zebra finch

Zebra finch care

They make good pets with their bright, colorful appearance and simple care requirements. However, they might be mildly allergenic to those with feather allergies.

Housing

A large, spacious, well-ventilated cage of about 30 inches, placed in a quiet corner of the house is suitable. Keep only one mating pair in a cage, as males often get aggressive and fight if housed together. Soft wood or natural branches placed inside the cage are good as perching spots. But, make sure not to keep more than two perches, as it may reduce their flying space. Small toys, bells or ladders may be provided; however, avoid long strings to prevent any obstruction or injury during flight.

While keeping multiple pairs in a big cage, pinch clothespins may be placed on the perches at a distance of about six inches to demarcate the territory of each pair.

Nest box and basket

It is recommended to provide a nest basket as these birds enjoy sleeping in nests. A wooden nest box is also required, especially during the breeding season, as they have a habit of laying their eggs in any available space, including the food tray.

Substrate

A paper substrate should be placed at the bottom of the cage to easily detect any abnormalities in their droppings. It is to be changed on a daily basis to ensure proper hygiene. Grass and soft hay are good options for nest boxes substrate.

Temperature

These birds are well adjusted to room temperatures but must be kept away from air conditioning units or cold drafts. During breeding, the temperature should not fall below 40°F to 50°F. They thrive well in a moderately warm environment; however, make sure to avoid direct sunlight.

Lighting

Though full spectrum lighting is often used by people to prevent molting, it is not necessary for Zebra finches. Artificial UVB or UVA lighting may be used if they are kept in a room receiving insufficient natural light.

Temperament and Behavior

These calm, sociable birds tend to display their loyalty to their owners by fluttering or singing in their presence. However, they dislike being touched or cuddled with, but rarely resort to biting.

Feeding

These seed-eating birds are fond of millet seeds, while any sprouted seeds are beneficial for them. Add a proper amount of fruits and vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, romaine lettuce, broccoli, spinach, apple, banana, mangoes to their regular diet. Cuttlebone, hard-shelled boiled eggs, grits, and pellets form, a good source of calcium and vitamins. Provide fresh, clean water should every day.

Additional care during breeding

The breeding pair takes care of their offspring as they do in the wild. Make sure to provide them with adequate food and water during this period. Talk to your breeder to find out what is the best diet for the baby finches.

Exercise and grooming requirements

Once your bird is familiar with its surrounding, let it out of the cage at least once every day.

Place a shallow dish of water at the bottom of their cage for bathing to keep their feathers clean. Their nails should occasionally be trimmed, but take caution as even a little bleeding may be fatal.

Diseases and health problems

Most of the illness suffered by these otherwise hardy finches are due to improper diet and/or unclean living environments. Some of the common health concerns are leg cramps, heat stroke, egg binding, mites, diarrhea, sore eyes, scaly legs, broken wings, constipation, tumors, and concussion. Some of the symptoms to look out for include feather-loss, an overgrown beak, and baldness. Sick birds should be isolated and kept in a separate cage with a temperature of about 85°F.

Lifespan

If cared for correctly, zebra finches can survive for up to 12 years in captivity. One individual survived for 14.5 years.

Price

Zebra finches are available for sale for around $15-$30.

Zebra finch song: Mating call

Interesting facts

• The males incorporate sounds from their surroundings in their mating calls.
• Scientists have discovered that the males’ song is a result of about 2000 genes present in a specific area of its brain, known as “Area X”.
• In the wild, juvenile birds are chased off by their parents immediately after weaning, so they can start a new clutch.
• In pet trade and inbreeding, there are several reports of albino zebra finches, but albinism is not yet confirmed in this species.

References:

1. http://birdsflight.com/types-finches-different-types-finches/
2. https://www.thesprucepets.com/zebra-finches-as-pets-1236807
3. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Taeniopygia_guttata/
4. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Taeniopygia_guttata/