Feather plucking

[northernmist]

Bare in mind I am still new to the care of finches...

I have noticed my female finch has what looks like a 'sore' spot on her wing, right about where she could reach. I have noticed a few white feathers around the cage.

Is she doing this to herself or is the male finch picking at her??
What can I do to help?!!
Thanks.

[L in Ontario]

Pretty hard to answer without watching them. It possible she is simply moulting too. If you don't see them bickering - a lot - I'd think she may be moulting.

[Sally]

What species are these? Some species will pluck themselves or their mate if they are in breeding mode and don't have any nesting material available.

[L in Ontario]

What species are these? Some species will pluck themselves or their mate if they are in breeding mode and don't have any nesting material available.

Looks like Zebs according to the signature line. And yep they may pluck each other and / or themselves.

[Sally]

Thanks, Liz, I never even looked at that!

[northernmist]

I haven't noticed the male picking at her.
Do they actually molt??!

And I did have nesting material in the cage for them, not to build as such. Just to pull out of the 'case' it came in. To keep them entertained. But it is since empty and I just dumped what was on the cage floor after the last cleaning. Should I get more...

Should I put a nest in there and dispose of the eggs? I am not ready for them to bred, but don't want them to be hurting either.

Thanks for your replies.

[franny]

NO, I wouldn't put a nest in, or they WILL breed. And laying eggs can be hard on the hen.

Yes all birds molt, but most just do it a few feathers at a time, over a period of a few weeks. (unlike Gouldian finches who have a heavy molt, over a very short time). This means they can refresh their tattered feathers without hampering their ability to fly.

I think if it isn't just the usual molting, and the male was picking feathers from her, it could have been because he was in breeding mode, stimulated by the fact that you provided nesting material.

I'd definitely not bother with the nesting material again, until you actually decide to let them breed. If they have some silk plants in the cage, and maybe a swing, and some natural perches, there should be enough to keep them from getting bored.

If you really want to give them something to do, try putting a bit of their treat type foods, in different little finger cups around the cage. And change them up now and then. Keep them interested by offering something different in the cup every couple of days. (Dried bloodworms seem to be a favourite of a lot of finches, soaked seeds, fresh chickweed, etc.) To me, that's the fun part of keeping finches. Trying to give them a natural setting as possible, with a variety of foods to keep them interested.

But definitely don't provide hay, or anything that could be considered as nesting material. It will just frustrate, if they can't find a suitable nest in the cage to finish what they start!