Holding??

[Kelly]

I have read in many books that zebras especially are birds just to "watch" and should never be held is that true?

Thanks

[lovezebs]

Kelly

Hi Kelly.

Zebra Finches, and most of the Finch Nation, don't usually 'like' to be held.

Now that said, it's not that you 'shouldn't ' hold them, but rather that they don't enjoy being held, or tolerate it very well. Frankly, in most cases, it scares the living day lights out of these poor little guys.

Having said that, as with anything else, there are exceptions to the rule. With some hand fed/hand raised Finches (Zebras included), they can become fairly tame, and will tolerate being handled. Some, being raised by people (without access to other birds, or without bird companionship), can bond quite closely, with their human parents.

However, if you really want a hands in sort of bird, you might want to be looking at the Hookbill family.

Best wishes.

[Kelly]

Thank you..The lovely lady we purchased our finches from hand raised them. Ours will sit on my hand if I'm very still. I just didn't want to be doing something wrong with them

[lovezebs]

Kelly

If you stick with it, he will probably remain semi-tame .
There's nothing wrong with handling your birds, if they allow it. You could try offering him a bit of spray millet In the palm of your hand.
One just has to remember, is to practice lots of hand washing before and after, for the health safety of both bird and human.

Have fun!