First, I'm not a finch expert. I inherited a male and female zebra finch from someone who could not longer care for them. They had been kept in a small budgie cage and in a pretty cold environment, but seemed none the worse for wear. I got them a proper flight cage and have done my best to provide them with proper varied diet, etc. I have had them for about a year.
They have always gotten on well. The male has always demonstrated affection, and any pecking seemed gentle and nurturing in nature. I have never noticed any picking of feathers or bare places. They both always seemed content and happy.
Yesterday morning I changed their water and fed them in the morning as usual. They both appeared fine and active. I left and when I returned late in the afternoon the female was dead on the bottom of the cage. Along her back it seemed the feathers had been pulled out as there was a bare place down the middle of her back ( I didn't see any feathers, though ). I cannot be 100% sure there was no bareness on her back prior, but I'm pretty observant and I think I would have noticed. I'm thinking maybe the male tried to wake her up or something.
I have had birds and cats and dogs in my life. Prior to any death there were always plenty of signs: Long sickness or injury, etc. I've never had a pet that seemed hail and hardy in the morning and was dead before dinner!
Any theories??? Thanks for any help.
Sudden finch death
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- 3 Eggs Laid
- Posts: 772
- Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2012 7:26 pm
- Location: Tempe arizona
Re: Sudden finch death
Unfortunately in some cases the first symptom of illness in birds is death. They hide sickness very well.
No way of guessing what caused your bird's death.
No way of guessing what caused your bird's death.