Can my owls "break up"???

[artist]

This may be a bad post being so close to Valentine's day but, it seems as my owl finch pair no longer get along. I've had them since April or May of 2016 and was told they are male and female. We have never had eggs even though we have nests etc....they were so incandescently in love until about a week or two ago. Now they have light scuffles and sometimes sleep in desperate nests! Is this normal? I suspect they might be molting as well...could that cause this domestic unrest?
I just adore my little owl couple and hate to see them unhappy....advise please....

[alyse36]

Oh no! That is such a sad post!
I'm only 4 days into finches, and don't have owls, but I hope someone can help you out! Maybe they just need some "space"

[lovezebs]

artist

Do they need mediation? A good divorce lawyer? Sorry, couldn't help myself

Owls, are so difficult to sex....
I'm wondering, if you ended up with two males(?)
If that's the case, it would explain the "no eggs". It might also explain the sudden change in dynamics between the two. Both might be getting into breeding mode, and there are no girls around.

[DamonIRB]

I'm inclined to agree with Elana... sounds like you may have two of the same sex. Do they sing at all? If so, can you tell if it's both of them or just one? If just one, is it always the same one?

Here are a couple of pics of our owls. This is a confirmed male/female pair. The one with the yellow leg band is the male. You'll notice his face is nearly pure white, while hers has a little bit of steely blue mixed in. Also, his chest bar is much thicker than hers. So yes, they look very much alike, but there are differences that are usually noticeable. As long as you know what to look for... ;)

[artist]

Here Is a picture. Are they girls or boys? They look a little shabby lately.

[artist]

And another two pictures....it's hard to tell from the small screen on my phone but I think this is one pic of Edgar and one of Mary. Assuming , one is a boy and one a girl...

[DamonIRB]

The one with the blue leg band does look like a female. Do you hear any singing at all? The females will make "meep" sounds, but they do not sing. Check the sound clips at this link - middle of the page, just above the pictures. Do you hear anything like this?

Finch Info Center - Owl Finches

[marymac]

artist
This was so weird to see this post!!! My 2 owls are having the same issues... They seemed to be getting along so well and have recently started squabbling and sleeping in separate areas. But I know I have 2 boys now, as my new one has just started singing! But after a week of problems I've removed the nest during the day today, next thing I know, they are perching next to each other and preening each other. I put the nest back in just before lights out and they both went in to settle for the night. Go figure!!! So I plan on taking the nest out in the morning and see if we can all get along tomorrow!

[artist]

DamonIRB- Wow. I listened to what you sent and mine sing much slower that the cock song from Finch Info Center. More like a sad cat meow. I love it! I wonder if they are females? One usually sings a bedtime song. He/she sings it when the sun goes down....I'm going to listen more carefully and try to figure it out!

Nestling- I hope your owls get along!

[lem2bert]

artist

I sadly do not own any owl finches, but yours are very beautiful.
I have heard them and they remind me of the wild catbirds we have in our area during the summer months. Just like listening to a kitten. .
I hope you have good luck in sexing them.

[artist]

Thank you. You should get some. Our whole family just adores them.