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The zebra finch [Chestnut flanked finch, spotted-sided finch]
The Zebra Finch, Taeniopygia guttata (formerly Poephila guttata), is the most common and familiar estrildid finch of Australia. It ranges over much of Australia, Tasmania and Flores Islands (northwest of Australia) avoiding only the cool moist south and the tropical far north.
Their typical habitat is grasslands, forests, open steppe lands that are scattered with bushes and trees but never far from water. They have adapted to human ingress and disturbances often taking advantage of water holes and deforested land made over to farmland. It is ground-dwelling and grows to a size of about 10 centimetres long with a main diet of grass seeds and Millet sprays. .
The Zebra Finch breeds after substantial rains in its native habitat, which can occur at any time of the year but in captivity, are ready to breed all year-round. In the wild they are adaptable and varied in their nesting habits, with nests being found in scrub, low trees, bushes, on the ground, in termite hills, rabbit burrows, nests of other birds, and in the cracks, crevices, and ledges of human structures. Outside of the breeding time, brood nests are constructed for sleeping in.
The life expectancy of a Zebra Finch is highly variable because of genetic and environmental factors. In its natural environment the Zebra Finch may live for up to 5 years but when caged they can live for up to 8–10 years or even up to 12 years if they are happy and well looked after.
They are loud and boisterous singers making a loud "beep", "meep", or "a-ha!" sound which starts as a few short beeps which leads into a rhythmic song which can vary in complexity from one bird to the next Each male's song is different, although birds of the same bloodline will exhibit similarities, and all finches will overlay their own uniqueness onto a common rhythmic framework. Sons generally learn the song of their father with little variation but may change during puberty and once ‘set’ will not vary for the life of the bird.
The diet of Zebra Finches, like most estrildid finches, are primarily seed-eating birds with their beak adapted for de-husking small seeds. Their seed preference is millet, but will also consume a variety of other kinds of seeds. In captivity however, with a basic diet of mixed millet seeds they also enjoy egg food and fresh foods such as lettuce, apple, grapes and cucumber. But above all their favourite is millet spray where one or two birds are quite capable of eating a whole spray within a few days. They are messy and voracious eaters dropping and flicking seed everywhere which emanates from their natural habitat where the seed would be spread around and once germinated offers further food sources. Zebra Finches cannot survive without water and will drink frequently and enjoy regular bathing. A Zebra Finch may look a little plump because it eats often throughout the day, but is the bird is overweight it needs more exercise and not less food. Finches should always have access to fresh food and water.
Mutations & Sub-species: Many domesticated mutations are to be found in many parts of the world. Some of the more established and common mutations include: Fawn, Pied, Saddleback, Penguin, White, CFW (Chestnut Flanked White), Florida Fancy, Crested, Yellow-beaked, Dominant Silver, Recessive Silver, Dominant Cream and Recessive Cream.
Newer mutations include: Lightback, Orange Breasted, Black Breasted, Black Face, Black Cheek and Fawn Cheek. There is a sub-species referred to as the Timor Zebras (Taeniopygia guttata guttata) these are smaller than the normal Zebra and lack the zebra striping.
Breeding
Zebra Finches are free opportunistic breeders and are not that particular about a nesting site. They will adopt finch nest, canary nest or finch boxes. In order to breed it is best to have them paired in individual breeding cages. They will breed in a colony setting but their slight breeding aggression between breeding pairs will decrease the offspring percentage. Furthermore, there can be no control of breeding in the colony where mutations of colour and in-breeding can produce undesirable and unhealthy birds. When a Zebra Finch shows bursts of gathering nesting materials it is a clear signal that the pair is ready to nest. They will pull at anything suitable within their reach and if there is no suitable material to gather they will use feathers and seed husks. Dried grasses, jute, cotton, coconut fibre are acceptable nesting materials for the captive bird. Once these ‘breeding signs’ are noticed, suitable nesting material should be placed either in a corner of the cage or in a ‘green’s holder’ where they can pull it through the side of the cage. A suitable nest should be incorporated within the cage or aviary. Indeed 2 or 3 should be offered leaving it to the birds to choose which they feel is right for them. The preferred nesting ‘box’ is the enclosed type and pre made from reed, wicker or bamboo. Alternatively a wooden ‘finch nesting box’ can be used most successfully and is now the preferred type for most finch breeders. The nest needs to be positioned high up in the cage or aviary, opposite the food dishes and near to their usual night roosting perch. Both the cock and hen help to build their nest and as the build progresses the birds will forego their ‘roosting perch’ and spend the night cuddling inside the nest.
During this time it is essential they are provided with an ample supply of various nesting material. The birds prefer material no more than 50mm long which greatly eases the building of the nest. It is essential than NO man-made fibres such as nylon, polyester etc; are offered as nesting material. These materials are much stronger than natural fibres and when they become entangled in their feathers or around limbs it could cause lacerations, even strangulation. They will pack the nest shell with everything within their reach for at least a week before laying starts.
The Hen will produce a clutch of between 2 and 7 eggs with 5 being the norm. Birds in captivity have however been known to lay larger clutches. The hen lays one egg a day and normally will only sit ‘tight’ once the third egg is laid. The Hen, with some help from the Cock, will then sit on the eggs during the incubation period of about 14 days (from when the hen begins sitting)
Both the cock and hen feed the chicks. If the chicks are to be close rung this should be done at about 8 days of age. Handle them with extreme care when removing them from the nest and when applying the ring. Above all keep them in a warm area and return them as soon as possible to the nest.
The chicks hatch according to the laying time of each egg. It is common to have one or two un-hatched eggs remaining as the parents begin feeding the first nestlings. Though it is preferable to leave the nest alone after the egg laying begins, once hatching begins a breeder might find it useful to make daily 'checks' into the nest to correct problems early, such as larger chicks sitting on and smothering smaller ones, thus increasing the number of chicks that eventually fledge.
Zebra Finches are usually excellent parents and both the cock and hen will readily take turns sitting on the nest and feed the young
Chick Development:
14 days of incubation.
Close ring at 8 days ring size E
At 21 days old they fledge and ready to leave the nest (returning at night and regular intervals in the day)
At 4 weeks they are old enough to eat on their own.
At 5-6 weeks the adult colours begin to develop, with the beak changing from grey to either RED (cock) or ORANGE (hen)
From 6 weeks onward the parents will begin to shun the chicks away from them and the nest, this indicates it’s time for the chicks to be moved into a cage of their own; or Aviary.
.
The time between laying and fledging will vary from clutch to clutch, but generally good eggs will hatch within 14 to 16 days of laying and the young will begin to venture out within about three or four weeks after hatching. They will look fully grown after about three months.
The age at which the young birds are ready to breed is from about 6 months but if young birds begin to show signs of breeding at an earlier age it is strongly recommended not to allow it as this can produce weak and sickly chicks or weaken the hen bird. .
While the female is laying her eggs, only her mate will be allowed in the nest. So once a clutch has fledged the cock bird will not allow any other bird near the nest. This is stressful for both the parents and the recent fledglings and it is at this point that the fledglings are removed from the cage. The cock bird can become quite aggressive towards the fledglings if they remain in the cage which may cause injury or even death to a fledgling!
Zebra finches are prolific breeders and are not set to any particular ‘breeding season’ they should however not be allowed to breed more than 3 clutches a year. Breeding is a very strenuous time for the hen and so to maintain her health and those of future clutches she should be allowed to have a rest.
Physical characteristics
Males and females are similar in size but are easily distinguished from one another. The males usually have bright orange cheek feathers and a red beak (as opposed to the orange beak of a female), and generally more striking black and white patterns. It is, almost without exception, the beak that identifies the gender of a Zebra Finch. Dependant on the breeding pair the orange cheek colouring can, sometimes, disappear or faded. Offspring from a similarly coloured nesting pair may sometimes vary from the parents coloration, with nestlings from plain grey to completely white. These variations are usually due to mixed breeding between finch types somewhere down the family line especially in pet store birds. However, new fledglings carry none of these distinguishing traits and only begin to appear after about two months and when it emerges from the nest it will have a grey beak. Their final colouration will begin to show after approximately 1 month of fledging. The hen bird normally has less colourful markings than the Cock bird.
Zebra finch males learn their song from song tutors, which is usually their father or the male that feeds them. There is a basic framework to their song, but during their sensitive phase they will learn and add notes and change the song to create their own. They begin to sing at puberty while females lack any singing ability. Their song begins as a few disjointed sounds, but as they experiment and mimic it will rapidly mature into a full-fledged song. During these formative times, they will incorporate sounds from their surroundings into their song often
female zebra finch
using the songs of other nearby males for inspiration.
Male finches use their song, in part, as a mating call. The act
of mating is usually accompanied by a high pitched whining sound. They will also exhibit a hissing sound when they are protecting their territory.
male zebra finch
Zebra finches are dimorphic which means the male and female have different colorations. Males have a number of distinguishing features including: orange cheek patches, stripes on the throat, black bar on the breast and a chestnut coloured flank with white spots. Females lack these features and are grey in those areas indicated. The beak colour is generally a brighter red in males and orange in females and is variable based upon the breeding condition of the birds.
Diet
A standard foreign finch millet mix is their basic requirement and must be available at all times throughout the year. As the breeding season approaches ‘conditioning seed’ needs to be gradually added to their diet as does an egg biscuit food together
With freshly washed greens such as: Broccoli, Brussel sprout,
Chickweed, young dandelion leaves and cucumber to list a few.
Pieces of fruit: Apple Orange, Pear, grapes should also be offered but no more than once or twice a week. Offering them
Adult Pair of Zebra finches
more than this will risk the birds becoming ‘light’.
At times of rearing, Egg/biscuit food, and soaked seed or sprouting seed should be made available daily.
Zebra finches are adapted to survive and raise their young on lower protein levels than many other finches and can actually raise their young on seed alone. This is not advisable however since the young will be of substandard quality.
Mineralised grit or oyster shell grit along with Cuttlefish bone must always be available to them. Zebra finches will usually decimate a cuttlebone and although crushed hen's eggs have a higher calcium level, picking at the cuttlebone seems to keep the beak in shape and relieve some frustration that they might
otherwise take out on another bird's feathers!
The Zebra finch is a highly adaptable species that will breed under the most adverse conditions. It is the perfect aviculture specimen. It can take extremes in temperature (-2˚C to +28/30˚C) and is highly resistant to both disease and parasites. It can survive on minimal food and water of atrocious quality and although it has been shown that Zebra finches can raise their young on substantially lower protein levels than most finches this should be avoided at all costs. A good and varied high protein and mixed diet will vastly improve the health, size and vigour of the parents and their young.
Mutation Effects
FAWN
Hen & Cock ‘fawn’ zebra finches
Inheritance: Sex-linked
Male: The fawn mutation changes the normal gray and black colouring to a light brown or fawn with dark brown markings. The male cheek and flank marks are nearly the same colour as the normal, but are slightly diluted. The belly can be buff or white. All the normal black markings will change to a dark chocolate brown with the base gray colour changing to a light brown with a wide variation in depth of colour.
Female: Like the male, the base colour is changed to a light brown or fawn colour. Tear mark and tail markings are dark brown. The belly will be buff like the normal if not more so
Fledglings: Fawn chicks will have a light coloured skin in the nest compared to the dark, near black of the normals. The beak will be horn-coloured as opposed to grey of the normals. As soon as the feathers are visible, the fawn colouring can be seen. The eyes of the chicks may appear ruby red.
Identifying Splits
Male: There is no definite way to determine if a male is split for fawn other than when breeding. The advantage with a sex-linked gene is that any male that is split for Fawn will produce fawn hens no matter what he is paired to. Some Gray males can be identified as being split for Fawn by a buff belly and traces of brown in the wings, but since some brown in the wings is normal for a Gray Zebra it is not a definite way to determine splits. This method is best used in a single line or family of birds that has both splits and non-splits to compare to.
Female: Females cannot be split for a sex linked gene.
Combinations:
The Fawn mutation is now considered a base colour just like the Gray. Breeders often refer to 'Gray series' or 'Fawn series' as to what the base colour is. As a result, the fawn mutation can be combined with all other mutations and is not really in conflict with any particular mutation. The attractiveness of the combination is a matter of personal taste. Combinations with the dilute varieties, both dominant and recessive, are often referred to as Creams and are quite attractive. Many breeders will combine Fawn with Orange Breast and Black Breast because the combination seems to enhance the orange colouring or reduce the flaws of dark feathering in these orange areas. When combined with the white coloured birds, fawn can help reduce the dark flaws often associated with Gray series birds of that mutation.
The Chestnut flanked white [cfw]
male Chestnut Flanked White
Left-Continental
Right- Regular
Inheritance: Sex-linked. The Regular and Continental CFWs and the Lightback are all part of a multiple allelic series. (Two or more alternative forms of a gene formed by mutation in the same place)Both varieties are recessive to Lightback and the Continental CFW is recessive to the Regular CFW.
Regular CFW (Also known as old type, Black eyed or UK CFW and Formally known as Marked White)
Male: The ideal bird will have a white body with the markings remaining at nearly full strength. These include the cheek patches and flanks, tear and breast marks. The tail will be a diluted gray. It is difficult to obtain birds with strong markings as these are often diluted. The orange cheeks are especially difficult.
Female: Like the males, the females will have a white body with dark tear marks under the eyes. The tail will also be a diluted grey and often have blacker flecking on the top of the head than do males.
Fledglings: The chicks, unlike most dilute varieties, do not show any change in body or beak colour. They are dark bodied with black beaks. They can be identified as soon as the white pin feathers of the wings start to show. Young females tend to carry darker feathering on their heads than the males and can be identified early.
Regular cfw female
Fawn chestnut flanked whites
LIGHTBACK
Male lightback
Inheritance: Sex-linked. A multiple allele of the CFW mutation
Male: The head, wings and back are diluted to a silvery grey. The belly and tail coverts are bright white. The cheek patches are diluted to an apricot colour with the flanks diluted to a light orange. The black markings (tear mark, tail and breast bars) remain at full strength.
Female: The grey head, back and wings are diluted as in the male. The belly and tail coverts are also bright white and the tear marks and tail bars remain at full strength.
Fledglings: As soon as the young feather up, the light colour of the back can be seen. The beak colour is a dark horn so the young can be distinguished before feathering if mixed in the nest with normals or CFWs. Males split for CFW can be picked out as soon as they feather up as the lighter back colour can be seen.
Identifying Splits Male: Lightback males that are split for CFW (carrying Lightback on one sex chromosome and CFW on the other) will be visibly lighter than males that are carrying two genes for Lightback). This is true for both versions of CFW, the normal and Continental. If split for the Continental variety of CFW, the back will have a slight cream cast to it while those split for the regular CFW will be lighter and more of a 'powder' grey
DOMINANT SILVER
Dominant silver [male]
[Dark version with light cheeks]
Inheritance: Dominant
Male: The Dominant Silver causes a dilution of all the markings both orange and black as well as the base colour. The amount of dilution however can vary. Cheek patches can vary from nearly white to almost full orange.
Female: Like the male, the base colour and all markings are diluted but the amount varies.
Fledgling: Dominant Silver chicks can be identified as soon as they feather out in the nest. They will have diluted feathers. They also have horn-coloured beaks.
Combination:
The Dominant Silver (DS) mutation is most often combined with the Fawn mutation to create dilute fawns or Dominant Creams. The cream coloured birds are very attractive, but some of the males can have such diluted markings that it can be difficult to distinguish them from the females. Another popular combination is Dominant Silver and Lightback. The result is a dilute bird with black tear marks, breast bar and tail bars. This is best seen on those birds with white cheeks. One experimental breeder combined a DS with a Blackface which created a bird with stunning contrasts.
Since Dominant Silver is a dilute mutation, it is best not to combine it with other mutations that cause a further dilution of colours (the Lightback is the only exception, see above). This means it should not be combined with CFW Fawn Cheek, Recessive Silver and White. Other mutations that should be avoided in combination with Dominant Silver include those mutations that require contrasts such as include Pied and Penguin
Dominant Silvers, especially the darker versions, are often beset with a blotchy appearance to the back colour rather than the preferred smooth and even dilution. In an effort to avoid this some breeders have tried mating DS with CFW but this in turn causes a further dilution of the base colour. The disadvantage being that any CFW produced will likely show some dilution which is not desirable and with repeated mating to CFW may cause too much dilution in the Dominant Silvers.
RECESSIVE SILVER
Recessive silver male and female
Inheritance: Recessive
Male: The Recessive Silver mutation causes all of the base grey to dilute to a light silvery colour. The black markings are equally diluted but remain distinct from the base colour. Overall, the mutation works to reduce the grey and black (eumelanin) nominally whilst the orange colour of the cheek patch and flank (phaeomelanin) remain at full strength.
Female: As in the male, the base grey colour is diluted as are the black markings of the tail and tear mark. These are diluted to the same degree as the male.
Fledgling: Recessive Silver chicks can be identified as soon as they feather out in the nest. They will have diluted feathers and look much like the hens.
Combinations
The Recessive Silver (RS) mutation is not seen very often these days on the show bench and as a result, they have not been combined with many of the newer mutations. Many colony bred birds seen are combined with Pied. It is said that combined with the Fawn mutation, a light cream coloured bird will result. Whilst it is generally believed that pied birds should have a high contrast between the white areas and those not affected by the pied markings. The Recessive Silver and Pied can be an achieve an attractive bird..
Since Recessive Silver is a dilute mutation, it is best not to combine it with other mutations that cause a further dilution of the colours. This means it should not be combined with CFW, Fawn Cheek, Dominant Silver and White. Other mutations that should be avoided in combination with Recessive Silver include those mutations that require contrasts to be appealing such as the penguin.
Dominant Cream pair.
Dominant silver Light version with cream cheeks
Black-breasted
Dominant silver - fawn
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The Zebra Finch, Taeniopygia guttata (formerly Poephila guttata), is the most common and familiar estrildid finch of Australia. It ranges over much of Australia, Tasmania and Flores Islands (northwest of Australia) avoiding only the cool moist south and the tropical far north.
Their typical habitat is grasslands, forests, open steppe lands that are scattered with bushes and trees but never far from water. They have adapted to human ingress and disturbances often taking advantage of water holes and deforested land made over to farmland. It is ground-dwelling and grows to a size of about 10 centimetres long with a main diet of grass seeds and Millet sprays. .
The Zebra Finch breeds after substantial rains in its native habitat, which can occur at any time of the year but in captivity, are ready to breed all year-round. In the wild they are adaptable and varied in their nesting habits, with nests being found in scrub, low trees, bushes, on the ground, in termite hills, rabbit burrows, nests of other birds, and in the cracks, crevices, and ledges of human structures. Outside of the breeding time, brood nests are constructed for sleeping in.
The life expectancy of a Zebra Finch is highly variable because of genetic and environmental factors. In its natural environment the Zebra Finch may live for up to 5 years but when caged they can live for up to 8–10 years or even up to 12 years if they are happy and well looked after.
They are loud and boisterous singers making a loud "beep", "meep", or "a-ha!" sound which starts as a few short beeps which leads into a rhythmic song which can vary in complexity from one bird to the next Each male's song is different, although birds of the same bloodline will exhibit similarities, and all finches will overlay their own uniqueness onto a common rhythmic framework. Sons generally learn the song of their father with little variation but may change during puberty and once ‘set’ will not vary for the life of the bird.
The diet of Zebra Finches, like most estrildid finches, are primarily seed-eating birds with their beak adapted for de-husking small seeds. Their seed preference is millet, but will also consume a variety of other kinds of seeds. In captivity however, with a basic diet of mixed millet seeds they also enjoy egg food and fresh foods such as lettuce, apple, grapes and cucumber. But above all their favourite is millet spray where one or two birds are quite capable of eating a whole spray within a few days. They are messy and voracious eaters dropping and flicking seed everywhere which emanates from their natural habitat where the seed would be spread around and once germinated offers further food sources. Zebra Finches cannot survive without water and will drink frequently and enjoy regular bathing. A Zebra Finch may look a little plump because it eats often throughout the day, but is the bird is overweight it needs more exercise and not less food. Finches should always have access to fresh food and water.
Mutations & Sub-species: Many domesticated mutations are to be found in many parts of the world. Some of the more established and common mutations include: Fawn, Pied, Saddleback, Penguin, White, CFW (Chestnut Flanked White), Florida Fancy, Crested, Yellow-beaked, Dominant Silver, Recessive Silver, Dominant Cream and Recessive Cream.
Newer mutations include: Lightback, Orange Breasted, Black Breasted, Black Face, Black Cheek and Fawn Cheek. There is a sub-species referred to as the Timor Zebras (Taeniopygia guttata guttata) these are smaller than the normal Zebra and lack the zebra striping.
Breeding
Zebra Finches are free opportunistic breeders and are not that particular about a nesting site. They will adopt finch nest, canary nest or finch boxes. In order to breed it is best to have them paired in individual breeding cages. They will breed in a colony setting but their slight breeding aggression between breeding pairs will decrease the offspring percentage. Furthermore, there can be no control of breeding in the colony where mutations of colour and in-breeding can produce undesirable and unhealthy birds. When a Zebra Finch shows bursts of gathering nesting materials it is a clear signal that the pair is ready to nest. They will pull at anything suitable within their reach and if there is no suitable material to gather they will use feathers and seed husks. Dried grasses, jute, cotton, coconut fibre are acceptable nesting materials for the captive bird. Once these ‘breeding signs’ are noticed, suitable nesting material should be placed either in a corner of the cage or in a ‘green’s holder’ where they can pull it through the side of the cage. A suitable nest should be incorporated within the cage or aviary. Indeed 2 or 3 should be offered leaving it to the birds to choose which they feel is right for them. The preferred nesting ‘box’ is the enclosed type and pre made from reed, wicker or bamboo. Alternatively a wooden ‘finch nesting box’ can be used most successfully and is now the preferred type for most finch breeders. The nest needs to be positioned high up in the cage or aviary, opposite the food dishes and near to their usual night roosting perch. Both the cock and hen help to build their nest and as the build progresses the birds will forego their ‘roosting perch’ and spend the night cuddling inside the nest.
During this time it is essential they are provided with an ample supply of various nesting material. The birds prefer material no more than 50mm long which greatly eases the building of the nest. It is essential than NO man-made fibres such as nylon, polyester etc; are offered as nesting material. These materials are much stronger than natural fibres and when they become entangled in their feathers or around limbs it could cause lacerations, even strangulation. They will pack the nest shell with everything within their reach for at least a week before laying starts.
The Hen will produce a clutch of between 2 and 7 eggs with 5 being the norm. Birds in captivity have however been known to lay larger clutches. The hen lays one egg a day and normally will only sit ‘tight’ once the third egg is laid. The Hen, with some help from the Cock, will then sit on the eggs during the incubation period of about 14 days (from when the hen begins sitting)
Both the cock and hen feed the chicks. If the chicks are to be close rung this should be done at about 8 days of age. Handle them with extreme care when removing them from the nest and when applying the ring. Above all keep them in a warm area and return them as soon as possible to the nest.
The chicks hatch according to the laying time of each egg. It is common to have one or two un-hatched eggs remaining as the parents begin feeding the first nestlings. Though it is preferable to leave the nest alone after the egg laying begins, once hatching begins a breeder might find it useful to make daily 'checks' into the nest to correct problems early, such as larger chicks sitting on and smothering smaller ones, thus increasing the number of chicks that eventually fledge.
Zebra Finches are usually excellent parents and both the cock and hen will readily take turns sitting on the nest and feed the young
Chick Development:
14 days of incubation.
Close ring at 8 days ring size E
At 21 days old they fledge and ready to leave the nest (returning at night and regular intervals in the day)
At 4 weeks they are old enough to eat on their own.
At 5-6 weeks the adult colours begin to develop, with the beak changing from grey to either RED (cock) or ORANGE (hen)
From 6 weeks onward the parents will begin to shun the chicks away from them and the nest, this indicates it’s time for the chicks to be moved into a cage of their own; or Aviary.
.
The time between laying and fledging will vary from clutch to clutch, but generally good eggs will hatch within 14 to 16 days of laying and the young will begin to venture out within about three or four weeks after hatching. They will look fully grown after about three months.
The age at which the young birds are ready to breed is from about 6 months but if young birds begin to show signs of breeding at an earlier age it is strongly recommended not to allow it as this can produce weak and sickly chicks or weaken the hen bird. .
While the female is laying her eggs, only her mate will be allowed in the nest. So once a clutch has fledged the cock bird will not allow any other bird near the nest. This is stressful for both the parents and the recent fledglings and it is at this point that the fledglings are removed from the cage. The cock bird can become quite aggressive towards the fledglings if they remain in the cage which may cause injury or even death to a fledgling!
Zebra finches are prolific breeders and are not set to any particular ‘breeding season’ they should however not be allowed to breed more than 3 clutches a year. Breeding is a very strenuous time for the hen and so to maintain her health and those of future clutches she should be allowed to have a rest.
Physical characteristics
Males and females are similar in size but are easily distinguished from one another. The males usually have bright orange cheek feathers and a red beak (as opposed to the orange beak of a female), and generally more striking black and white patterns. It is, almost without exception, the beak that identifies the gender of a Zebra Finch. Dependant on the breeding pair the orange cheek colouring can, sometimes, disappear or faded. Offspring from a similarly coloured nesting pair may sometimes vary from the parents coloration, with nestlings from plain grey to completely white. These variations are usually due to mixed breeding between finch types somewhere down the family line especially in pet store birds. However, new fledglings carry none of these distinguishing traits and only begin to appear after about two months and when it emerges from the nest it will have a grey beak. Their final colouration will begin to show after approximately 1 month of fledging. The hen bird normally has less colourful markings than the Cock bird.
Zebra finch males learn their song from song tutors, which is usually their father or the male that feeds them. There is a basic framework to their song, but during their sensitive phase they will learn and add notes and change the song to create their own. They begin to sing at puberty while females lack any singing ability. Their song begins as a few disjointed sounds, but as they experiment and mimic it will rapidly mature into a full-fledged song. During these formative times, they will incorporate sounds from their surroundings into their song often
female zebra finch
using the songs of other nearby males for inspiration.
Male finches use their song, in part, as a mating call. The act
of mating is usually accompanied by a high pitched whining sound. They will also exhibit a hissing sound when they are protecting their territory.
male zebra finch
Zebra finches are dimorphic which means the male and female have different colorations. Males have a number of distinguishing features including: orange cheek patches, stripes on the throat, black bar on the breast and a chestnut coloured flank with white spots. Females lack these features and are grey in those areas indicated. The beak colour is generally a brighter red in males and orange in females and is variable based upon the breeding condition of the birds.
Diet
A standard foreign finch millet mix is their basic requirement and must be available at all times throughout the year. As the breeding season approaches ‘conditioning seed’ needs to be gradually added to their diet as does an egg biscuit food together
With freshly washed greens such as: Broccoli, Brussel sprout,
Chickweed, young dandelion leaves and cucumber to list a few.
Pieces of fruit: Apple Orange, Pear, grapes should also be offered but no more than once or twice a week. Offering them
Adult Pair of Zebra finches
more than this will risk the birds becoming ‘light’.
At times of rearing, Egg/biscuit food, and soaked seed or sprouting seed should be made available daily.
Zebra finches are adapted to survive and raise their young on lower protein levels than many other finches and can actually raise their young on seed alone. This is not advisable however since the young will be of substandard quality.
Mineralised grit or oyster shell grit along with Cuttlefish bone must always be available to them. Zebra finches will usually decimate a cuttlebone and although crushed hen's eggs have a higher calcium level, picking at the cuttlebone seems to keep the beak in shape and relieve some frustration that they might
otherwise take out on another bird's feathers!
The Zebra finch is a highly adaptable species that will breed under the most adverse conditions. It is the perfect aviculture specimen. It can take extremes in temperature (-2˚C to +28/30˚C) and is highly resistant to both disease and parasites. It can survive on minimal food and water of atrocious quality and although it has been shown that Zebra finches can raise their young on substantially lower protein levels than most finches this should be avoided at all costs. A good and varied high protein and mixed diet will vastly improve the health, size and vigour of the parents and their young.
Mutation Effects
FAWN
Hen & Cock ‘fawn’ zebra finches
Inheritance: Sex-linked
Male: The fawn mutation changes the normal gray and black colouring to a light brown or fawn with dark brown markings. The male cheek and flank marks are nearly the same colour as the normal, but are slightly diluted. The belly can be buff or white. All the normal black markings will change to a dark chocolate brown with the base gray colour changing to a light brown with a wide variation in depth of colour.
Female: Like the male, the base colour is changed to a light brown or fawn colour. Tear mark and tail markings are dark brown. The belly will be buff like the normal if not more so
Fledglings: Fawn chicks will have a light coloured skin in the nest compared to the dark, near black of the normals. The beak will be horn-coloured as opposed to grey of the normals. As soon as the feathers are visible, the fawn colouring can be seen. The eyes of the chicks may appear ruby red.
Identifying Splits
Male: There is no definite way to determine if a male is split for fawn other than when breeding. The advantage with a sex-linked gene is that any male that is split for Fawn will produce fawn hens no matter what he is paired to. Some Gray males can be identified as being split for Fawn by a buff belly and traces of brown in the wings, but since some brown in the wings is normal for a Gray Zebra it is not a definite way to determine splits. This method is best used in a single line or family of birds that has both splits and non-splits to compare to.
Female: Females cannot be split for a sex linked gene.
Combinations:
The Fawn mutation is now considered a base colour just like the Gray. Breeders often refer to 'Gray series' or 'Fawn series' as to what the base colour is. As a result, the fawn mutation can be combined with all other mutations and is not really in conflict with any particular mutation. The attractiveness of the combination is a matter of personal taste. Combinations with the dilute varieties, both dominant and recessive, are often referred to as Creams and are quite attractive. Many breeders will combine Fawn with Orange Breast and Black Breast because the combination seems to enhance the orange colouring or reduce the flaws of dark feathering in these orange areas. When combined with the white coloured birds, fawn can help reduce the dark flaws often associated with Gray series birds of that mutation.
The Chestnut flanked white [cfw]
male Chestnut Flanked White
Left-Continental
Right- Regular
Inheritance: Sex-linked. The Regular and Continental CFWs and the Lightback are all part of a multiple allelic series. (Two or more alternative forms of a gene formed by mutation in the same place)Both varieties are recessive to Lightback and the Continental CFW is recessive to the Regular CFW.
Regular CFW (Also known as old type, Black eyed or UK CFW and Formally known as Marked White)
Male: The ideal bird will have a white body with the markings remaining at nearly full strength. These include the cheek patches and flanks, tear and breast marks. The tail will be a diluted gray. It is difficult to obtain birds with strong markings as these are often diluted. The orange cheeks are especially difficult.
Female: Like the males, the females will have a white body with dark tear marks under the eyes. The tail will also be a diluted grey and often have blacker flecking on the top of the head than do males.
Fledglings: The chicks, unlike most dilute varieties, do not show any change in body or beak colour. They are dark bodied with black beaks. They can be identified as soon as the white pin feathers of the wings start to show. Young females tend to carry darker feathering on their heads than the males and can be identified early.
Regular cfw female
Fawn chestnut flanked whites
LIGHTBACK
Male lightback
Inheritance: Sex-linked. A multiple allele of the CFW mutation
Male: The head, wings and back are diluted to a silvery grey. The belly and tail coverts are bright white. The cheek patches are diluted to an apricot colour with the flanks diluted to a light orange. The black markings (tear mark, tail and breast bars) remain at full strength.
Female: The grey head, back and wings are diluted as in the male. The belly and tail coverts are also bright white and the tear marks and tail bars remain at full strength.
Fledglings: As soon as the young feather up, the light colour of the back can be seen. The beak colour is a dark horn so the young can be distinguished before feathering if mixed in the nest with normals or CFWs. Males split for CFW can be picked out as soon as they feather up as the lighter back colour can be seen.
Identifying Splits Male: Lightback males that are split for CFW (carrying Lightback on one sex chromosome and CFW on the other) will be visibly lighter than males that are carrying two genes for Lightback). This is true for both versions of CFW, the normal and Continental. If split for the Continental variety of CFW, the back will have a slight cream cast to it while those split for the regular CFW will be lighter and more of a 'powder' grey
DOMINANT SILVER
Dominant silver [male]
[Dark version with light cheeks]
Inheritance: Dominant
Male: The Dominant Silver causes a dilution of all the markings both orange and black as well as the base colour. The amount of dilution however can vary. Cheek patches can vary from nearly white to almost full orange.
Female: Like the male, the base colour and all markings are diluted but the amount varies.
Fledgling: Dominant Silver chicks can be identified as soon as they feather out in the nest. They will have diluted feathers. They also have horn-coloured beaks.
Combination:
The Dominant Silver (DS) mutation is most often combined with the Fawn mutation to create dilute fawns or Dominant Creams. The cream coloured birds are very attractive, but some of the males can have such diluted markings that it can be difficult to distinguish them from the females. Another popular combination is Dominant Silver and Lightback. The result is a dilute bird with black tear marks, breast bar and tail bars. This is best seen on those birds with white cheeks. One experimental breeder combined a DS with a Blackface which created a bird with stunning contrasts.
Since Dominant Silver is a dilute mutation, it is best not to combine it with other mutations that cause a further dilution of colours (the Lightback is the only exception, see above). This means it should not be combined with CFW Fawn Cheek, Recessive Silver and White. Other mutations that should be avoided in combination with Dominant Silver include those mutations that require contrasts such as include Pied and Penguin
Dominant Silvers, especially the darker versions, are often beset with a blotchy appearance to the back colour rather than the preferred smooth and even dilution. In an effort to avoid this some breeders have tried mating DS with CFW but this in turn causes a further dilution of the base colour. The disadvantage being that any CFW produced will likely show some dilution which is not desirable and with repeated mating to CFW may cause too much dilution in the Dominant Silvers.
RECESSIVE SILVER
Recessive silver male and female
Inheritance: Recessive
Male: The Recessive Silver mutation causes all of the base grey to dilute to a light silvery colour. The black markings are equally diluted but remain distinct from the base colour. Overall, the mutation works to reduce the grey and black (eumelanin) nominally whilst the orange colour of the cheek patch and flank (phaeomelanin) remain at full strength.
Female: As in the male, the base grey colour is diluted as are the black markings of the tail and tear mark. These are diluted to the same degree as the male.
Fledgling: Recessive Silver chicks can be identified as soon as they feather out in the nest. They will have diluted feathers and look much like the hens.
Combinations
The Recessive Silver (RS) mutation is not seen very often these days on the show bench and as a result, they have not been combined with many of the newer mutations. Many colony bred birds seen are combined with Pied. It is said that combined with the Fawn mutation, a light cream coloured bird will result. Whilst it is generally believed that pied birds should have a high contrast between the white areas and those not affected by the pied markings. The Recessive Silver and Pied can be an achieve an attractive bird..
Since Recessive Silver is a dilute mutation, it is best not to combine it with other mutations that cause a further dilution of the colours. This means it should not be combined with CFW, Fawn Cheek, Dominant Silver and White. Other mutations that should be avoided in combination with Recessive Silver include those mutations that require contrasts to be appealing such as the penguin.
Dominant Cream pair.
Dominant silver Light version with cream cheeks
Black-breasted
Dominant silver - fawn
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