FINCHforum

Hi there again folks!
After I lost my little Java finch a couple of weeks ago, the other one started to look a bit rough around her eyes. She has a few gaps behind her eyes on her head and white spikey feathers across her beak. The vet checked it out for parasites and everything when it was in hospital with the other one and said it was healthy. The feathers were all ok then.
I got another partner for her about a week ago (a definate male this time!! YAY!) and he looks awesome but she is starting to look a bit ragged. She is so much happier for the company and he sings to her all the time so they are happy together.
Is there a common reason for them to start losing feathers around the face? Other than that she seems fine. (This started before I introduced the new male too) It is just heading into autumn after a unseasonably cool summer so I guess she shouldn't be molting.
Any help

Sorry no one has been able to help you with your problem. Kenny, our resident Java expert, is not available right now. I have never had Javas, but did some reading on them. They require more space than most finches, partly due to their size--an aviary or a cage at least 40" long is recommended. They are also very social, so the more the better, it seems. The other thing I noted is that they really want to bathe, which also helps their feather condition. I have no idea when Javas molt, either.

Thanks for your reply Sally. I give them a bath that they frequently bathe in but I think it may be the male just being a pain!
He seemed to just groom her at first so I thought they were all good but it seems that he might pick on her a bit too. She is pretty tough and gives it striaght back but I may have to eventually seperate them. I am not sure if the cage is big enough for more but I will build a bigger one eventually.
I give them heaps of leafy browse and they both seem to distroy everything in there which is something neither of the females did when I had them both with no male. I think he might just be a bit destructive so I'll have to keep up the amusement factor I suppose so he doesn't get too bored.