Basic
Zebra Finch FAQs
(Poephila
Guttata)
Connie
Soto
January
2009 ©
How long do Zebra finch live?
In
the wild a Zebra finch typically will live about five years. In captivity they
can live anywhere from six to ten years.
Is a Zebra finch easy to care for?
Zebra
finches are often recommended for any new bird owner as they are a hardy breed
and their basic care is relatively easy.
Should a Zebra finch live alone like the canary?
The
Zebra finch is a gregarious bird and needs companionship unlike a canary. They
should be paired or grouped together and depending upon the temperament they
can live with other species of finches as well.
Where did the Zebra finch species originate?
Zebra finches originally came from Australia.
How can you tell the difference between a male and a female Zebra
finch?
The
male Zebra finch is brightly colored unlike the females more pale coloring.
Both the male and female have a reddish orange beak and legs. The upper body
and wings are gray with white underneath. They both have a tear drop under the eye. The female lacks the orange cheek patch,
the zebra looking chest and the chestnut with white dots on the flanks.
The Zebra finches seem to greet me when I enter the room?
This greeting that the Zebra finches display when a person enters
the room is more a natural wild life warning response rather than a greeting.
It is easy to notice that they do respond to your presence as you can see when
you move about the room or speak to them directly. They are active, fun little
birds that are easy to enjoy.
Is the Zebra finches metabolism like other finches and do they
require the same type of precautions?
It is very important to have seed and water available for Zebra finches
at all times. They are very active little birds and cannot go without food or
water for very long without ill effects, even several hours can result in death.
Does the Zebra finch eat only a seed diet?
Zebra
finches like most other finches eat primarily a seed diet but need a balance of
fruit, veggies and soft food for proper nutrient.
Do Zebra finches require grit and cuttle
bone?
Zebra
finches require grit and cuttle bone to be freely
available to them each day.
Does both the male and female Zebra finch sing?
The
female Zebra finch does not sing. The male Zebra finch begins to experiment
with singing when he reaches puberty.
Do all male Zebra finch songs sound the same?
The
Zebra finch develops their song over time and they have the ability to mimic
other birds and sounds that they hear. This formative development of their song
gives the Zebra finch a unique song of their own.
Can Zebra finches be kept in outdoor accommodations?
Zebra
finches can adapt quite successfully either to living inside or outside. They do
require protection from the elements.
What temperature range can the Zebra finches tolerate when
living outside?
Zebra finches who live in the East or the Mid West in a sheltered
aviary can typically tolerate temperatures between 40-85 degrees
Fahrenheit. The winters of California
are much different than the East or the Mid West and the Zebras are successful
in a sheltered aviary between 30-100 degrees Fahrenheit. My theory of why this is true,
is that the birds do fine with the wider range of temperature because California does
not maintain the extreme temperatures for a long period of time. A rapid fluctuation in
temperature is never a good idea for any bird.
What about baths for Zebra finches?
Zebra finches love to bathe and if you cannot provide them with a
daily bath, once a week will do just fine.
Baby
Zebra Finch is fluffed out to keep warm in the outside aviary.
Night
time temperature on this particular day was 27 degrees and it reached a high of
35.
Fluffing
out its feathers produces the same effect as people do when layering clothes
for warmth.