Everything You Need To Know About The Zebra Bird

Zebra Finch Overview

The Zebra Finch is considered one of the most common types of finch birds that are kept as pets because they are very hardy birds and easy to care for. They are usually kept in pairs, and breeding between them is quite easy, as some recommend. It is necessary to keep them either in pairs or in groups larger than six when raising them at home.

Zebra finches do not bond strongly with people, although they are social with each other. They are not as easy to tame as other finches, such as parrots. This is because they do not enjoy communicating with humans, and therefore they can be a good breeding option for people who do not have a lot of time. To spend it with them.

Common names for this species include: Zebra finch, chestnut-eared finch, and its scientific name is (Poephla guttata). As for the size of adult birds, it reaches about 10 cm in length, making it considered one of the smallest birds, if not the smallest, and its average lifespan ranges from It is between 3 and 15 years old, and often lives between 3 and 5 years. It is also considered a small-sized species that enjoys great activity. Despite its small size, it needs a large cage when raising it.

Zebra finches have chirps and sounds that resemble a quiet song, and the father bird usually teaches the young chicks how to vocalize, by teaching them a song consisting of chirps and whistles for the young ones to improvise behind him.

Scientific classification of zebra finch birds

These birds belong to the passeriformes order , the Estrildidae family , and the Taeniopygia genus .

The original home of zebra birds

Zebra finches are commonly found in the drier areas of Australia, where they live year-round in social groups of up to 100 birds or more. They can also be found in a variety of habitats; Such as wooded grasslands adjacent to waterways.

The external appearance of the zebra finch

Zebra finch birds are attractive, gray-colored birds that are considered dimorphic, meaning that the sexes can be distinguished by looking at them, as males have black and white bands on their throats and chests, in addition to orange spots on the cheeks, and brown spots on either side. The body, while females have gray spots, and both males and females have red-orange beaks, and the male’s beak is usually brighter in color.

General behavior of zebra finch birds

These finches are non-migratory, diurnal, and highly social with each other; They live in groups of about 100 individuals. During the breeding period, they divide into smaller groups of about 50 individuals that remain in contact with each other.

These birds are characterized by the fact that members of one group get to know each other through their songs and melodies, which chases away strange members. Although zebra finches usually travel great distances in search of food and resources, the area they defend is relatively small, and is limited to the area. Immediately surrounding the nest site.

Raising and caring for zebra finch birds

This type of bird is considered one of the suitable types for beginners in raising birds, because it is easy to care for, and since it is raised in pairs, the breeder will not need to be near it all the time, and it reproduces a lot, so all it needs is a nest basket and some fibers . Nesting, they begin to reproduce at the age of 8 to 10 months, and attention must be paid to the necessity of giving them a period of rest from reproduction. Too much reproduction will exhaust the parents, especially the female, who spends a lot of her energy producing eggs.

Diseases to which zebra finch birds may be exposed

Zebra finch birds are susceptible to many diseases, such as “flaky facial disease,” which is a condition caused by some mites and appears in the form of white, scaly areas around the beak, eyes, and legs. This is a medical condition that requires calling a veterinarian.

These birds are also susceptible to “air-sac mite” infection, especially when exposed to excessive stress, which is a serious medical condition that requires immediate veterinary care and can be treated successfully if detected and treated early enough. In addition, these birds may be exposed to infection. Swelling in the nails or beak areas, which is a condition that must be treated by an experienced veterinarian.