FINCHforum

My zebra finch hen has been alone since April and I am trying to find her a friend, but I have no breeders in my area, and I missed our only bird fair. I would prefer not to buy a companion for my girl from the pet store because I am worried about diseases and they are $20. Unless I find a bird via craigslist, my best bet for a healthy finch is to wait until next year's bird fair, but that is a year away. Is it good for my girl to be alone that long, or should I get a pet store bird?

sparrowsong98

She should be able to survive, although she won't be as happy. I agree with not buying from a pet store; many pet stores source their animals from mills that keep animals in very poor conditions, and buying from them encourages unethical animal-keeping.

I got birds on Craigslist before; they weren't the best quality, but zebra finches are usually pretty common, so you should be able to find a healthy one eventually.

If you can't find her a partner within the next month or two and she seems depressed, I would consider rehoming.

I don't recommend keeping zebra finches alone for that long, maybe get her a mirror and play recordings of zebra finches. A pet store finch will be fine, as long as you quarantine it first.

Icearstorm yeah I was thinking about rehoming her and getting a pair off of someone when it was easier.
@CathyCraftz She has a mirror and I play recordings of finches, as well as parrots and some music too. She seems to live this.

My closest pet store just sells pet supplies, fish and rescue cats. To get the essentials I would have to travel about 20 km more, that store is really good and is specialised in selling birds and bird supplies. Wonder if their loose-packaged bird seed is any good and worth the trip?