FINCHforum

Hi, everyone! Basically new here! I own two zebras who have just hatched their third clutch of eggs this year. I recently moved to a new home two weeks ago, and Bo and Berta have been exhibiting some weird behavior.

Bo sometimes has times where he freaks out and flies around the cage like he's in a panic. It's almost like how a normal finch would react if I just reached in and tried to grab it. These guys are generally really calm and I've been working on hand-taming them, and I'm never near the cage when this happens. Could he be itchy from mites or something, or is this just exercise and I'm being paranoid?

Berta's spent most of her time exclusively in the nest, and I've noticed her tail has started to become droopy. It's always had a sort of bob to it that my avian vet seemed to think was normal back in February when I took them in for a respiratory infection. Could the droopy tail be from backing against the wall of the nest or should I be worried? It's definitely farther down than in past pictures I have of her. She's been making a weak chirp I'd never heard before, but this is only when she's in the nest.

Finally, both have very large droppings lately. Someone told me this happens around breeding time. Is this the case? They seem normal, but sometimes I see a greenish tint, which I think is from veggies.

Basically, should I be worried about them? They both otherwise act healthy, singing and chirping, eating and drinking, and bathing.

Are you feeding veggies, if so what type? Certain ones can change the color of the droppings slightly. Tails can look ratty when siting in the nest...how big is the nest?

Large droppings are common for hens while sitting, they will hold their droppings and leave the nest after a period of time to relieve themselves.

I agree with Cindy. They probably are alright and are just adjusting to the new environment and are more flighty because of the eggs. Give them a week or two to settle and they should calm down.

I agree with Cindy too. Sitting in the nest can really do a number on tail feathers... I have one owl whose tail feathers look bent from sitting lol

The droppings, as others have said, is because they are holding it until they come out for a break off the nest, and yes, can be very large and nasty looking.

The only thing I can think of with the male suddenly going berserk is either he's having second thoughts about parenthood, "What was I thinking?!?!?!?!" LOL j/k Does he do this when the female comes out of the nest for her break or when she's due to go back in? I've seen birds spaz out when they don't think their partner is acting fairly or appropriately. For example, they take turns sitting and it's her turn to sit and she won't go back in - sometimes the male will chase or just go nuts until she does go back in. Could it be that?

My zebras also fly around like in panic sometimes- this is around the cage or the room when they are free to fly. I don't think they panic, they just do it for fun as there is nothing to scare them when they do it.
About the large droppings... they do that when they sit on the nest for a long time because they do not poop in the nest so they have to hold it. Mine do that too and they have had no problem.

Whew...that makes me feel a lot better! Thanks for all the responses! I actually think they like this new place because it's more secluded than their last home, haha! So I guess his spazzing out is him having fun! They're actually really good about always having a finch in the nest, so he kind of just does it randomly.

My roommmate and I cook a lot, so I've been giving them a lot of different fruits and veggies. I've been feeding boiled egg, alfalfa sprouts, celery leaves, carrot, grapes, apple, and spinach on occasion.

That's good news about the poops! Haha! I just can't believe how much those little guys can make sometimes! I'd lose 60 pounds if I did that, hahahaha!