Dominance between finches - help

[Red_Rose]

Okay so when my Duke passed away, I got a new companion for Wayne(both zebras) because I didn't want him to be alone. At first, I had gotten another zebra and I thought things were going well. Wayne immediately stuck his bum in the air and the new finch mounted him. After that, Wayne did some very light beaking to him but that was it. I didn't know that the mounting was a dominance trait at the time. It turns out that the new finch was plucking Wayne so bad that he was becoming bald on his head and back so I took the new finch back to the pet store and got a society(I got the society on Friday) instead because Wayne had become mellow since I got him back in 2013 and he loves to nest.

Neither one attempted to mount the other but yesterday in the afternoon, Wayne started doing the beaking at Sammy where Sammy flies away from him so he'll stop. Sammy is making no attempts to be the dominant one yet Wayne keeps on doing the beaking even though the other just wants to cuddle up with him. No plucking has happened as I am keeping a close eye on that.

I'm so frustrated. Why is Wayne doing this? Is this normal and how long will it go on for? The other finch I took back to the pet store was always trying to pluck Wayne a couple of days before I returned him yet Wayne just allowed it yet Sammy is doing none of that and he's always beaking at him. I see why a lot of people prefer societies over zebras. Zebras are too moody and unpredictable but I hadn't known this when I first got them. If something were to ever happen to Wayne, I don't think I'd get a zebra again.

Should I be concerned or should I have to return this one too? I know Wayne doesn't like being alone yet this dominance thing is ridiculous. What should I do?

[Babs _Owner]

Red_Rose

Sammy's gentle nature may prove victorious in this situation. Give them time to adjust. As long as Sammy isnt getting plucked or abused, soon both of them may very well cuddle together at night and be best of pals.

Societies are very forgiving. Wait til Sammy starts preening Wayne. Wayne will be like "Awww c'mere little buddy!"

[Red_Rose]

Babs

Thanks Babs. There's no plucking going on but Wayne does sometimes make Sammy fly off to a different perch because of the beaking. Sammy has never displayed any form of dominance to Wayne.

Could Wayne's behaviour be caused by the way he was treated by the last finch? The finch I had to take back(Georgie) would pluck at Wayne at anytime. Whether he was nesting, preening or even sleeping, he would get plucked. From the way they slept, I suspect that he was being plucked during the night but I could be wrong. His behaviour was also different. Now, he's becoming the Wayne I remember when Duke was alive but with Georgie, he seemed subdued. He hardly sang and when he did, Georgie would start singing loudly until Wayne stopped not to mention Georgie was spun. Wayne didn't fly around much because Georgie would fly laps around the cage. The only time he took a break was to eat, drink or take a very brief nap. A couple of times, he flew into Wayne who was sitting on the perch pecking at the cuttlebone causing Wayne to fall off the perch.

Sammy did try to approach Wayne to preen him but Wayne started the beaking. Wayne is gradually approaching Sammy without the dominance but it is still there. I haven't seen them preening or cuddling up together yet.

[Babs _Owner]

Red_Rose

Try rearranging their environment so Wayne doesnt feel so territorial. Ive seen other zebra finch owners recommend this.

Helps create a new place for both of them where they can meet on equal terms. Or if you have another cage. Put the society in it for a day, then introduce Wayne into the new "Sammy's Domain cage" so possibly Wayne will not feel like the "owner" of the cage.

[Red_Rose]

Babs

I've thought about doing that. That or get a new cage. I found a used 30x18x18 online for $25 which is cheap in Canada because everything here is more expensive than the U.S. That same cage would probably be $10-$15 in the U.S.

Sammy just did his puffy dance at Wayne and Wayne just pecked at his beak.

[lovezebs]

Red_Rose

Hi Rose.
Wayne, is just being a normal Zebra and Zebras will be Zebras.
When the G-man was around, he felt intimidated, because Georgie, was obviously the dominant male. That's why he would allow the plucking and the bullying.

With Sammy, he wants to prove that he's dominant from the get go. He doesn't realize, that Sammy couldn't care less about dominance.

Give them time, and unless there are feathers flying and bloodshed, I wouldn't worry too much at this stage.

Good luck

[Red_Rose]

lovezebs

Thanks.

Well, at least it's good to know he's acting normal even though I'd rather see cuddling but who wouldn't, right? Now I understand why they're considered as 'pushy' finches. lol How long can this last for? So it's normal for them to still not cuddle or preen each other? I always thought finches did that right away.

Georgie was small compared to Wayne so it's surprising that he would be the dominate one. Sammy keeps doing his puffy dance to Wayne so hopefully he'll come around. I'm also getting a new cage for them so I hope that helps too.

Below is my Wayne (on the left) and Georgie. I had to be quick with the picture before Georgie took flight again. I'll have to get a picture of Sammy.

[lovezebs]

Red_Rose

Wayne is a cutie.
If Sammy is doing his pooffy dance for Wayne, then he's not a push over either.
I think they'll be fine in a while. I mean you have to consider, they are total strangers, suddenly thrown together. It takes a while to figure each other out, to form a relationship, and even longer for them to bond.

[Zebrafincher]

Remember that finches, like people, are individuals. I have two males Zebras - Beaky and Itchy. They get on well but I keep them in two separate cages, and let them out together. They do a bit of beak fencing, and there's a lost of posturing, and the occasional cross sound but they seem to be OK now. Let them sort it out.

Good luck

Zebrafincher

[Red_Rose]

lovezebs

You do have a point. I've been looking out for feathers and any possible injuries and I've so far, so good. Wayne has been approaching Sammy more today without the use of his beak so I'll take that as a good sign.

@Zebrafincher

I'm glad that things worked out between them. Now that I think of it, Wayne used to do a lot of the beaking too but the difference was that Duke was also a zebra who didn't put up with anyone's crap. Lol

[MiaCarter]

That's a great sign!


Each bird is a unique individual and it can take a bit of time for them to sort out their dynamics. The first week or so can be dicey, but most will simmer down and find a nice groove.


I'm glad nobody's been harmed or injured. That's a hopeful sign too. My vet once told me that if they don't fight/injure each other within the first hour, then they'll likely be okay together. He said it about dogs, but I've found this to be true for birds, cats, and other animals as well.


Agreed with the suggestion to rearrange the cage. I do this whenever I add a new bird to a cage, as it redraws the property lines and reduces any territorial aggression.

[Red_Rose]

MiaCarter

I'm currently waiting to hear back from the person who has a cage for sale. I plan on getting getting them a home that's a bit bigger than what they have now so that should help since it will be completely different.

When adding the birds back into the cage, should the new bird be placed in there first or does it not matter which one goes in first?

[MiaCarter]

Red_Rose - That's great. A bigger cage is always better.

I recommend placing them in the new cage simultaneously. That way, nobody has a chance to claim territory before the other. So it puts them on equal footing.

[Red_Rose]

MiaCarter

That makes sense. That's what I'll do then.

Thanks everybody!