males are biting (pecking) the feathers off females' neck

[RTM]

I have three Zebra Finches, two male and one female, the male birds are constantly biting (pecking) at the female's neck and tail. there are no more neck or tail feathers. This has happened before and the female grew the neck and tail feathers back. My question; why is this behavior happening, is it okay, is there something I should be doing? Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

[L in Ontario]

I would think the 2 males are fighting over the 1 female and I'd remove one of the males to a separate cage.

[Finch Fry]

Also if you have a nest in the cage, it is likely they want to breed and want more nesting material and are plucking her for feathers to line the nest. Heck, they will pluck her for nesting material if they want to breed and there isnt a nest in fact.
So this behavior might continue even if the males are separated.

Rule of thumb with zebs, only 1 male with any number of females or have a single pair (M/F) or 3+ pairs. 2 pairs establish a pecking order and the top pair harass the bottom pair.

[JohnBoy]

I have never had that problem with my zebras. The problem I have is with females. My experience is more males than females. I find female zebras much more aggressive than the males. Some are down right mean.

[ac12]

John
I know what you mean, I have two that I am so frustrated with that I felt like flushing them down the toilet. Whatever cage I put them into, they chases someone, except the mom who can get even nastier.

One is going to the pet store soon, or she might end up down the toilet. Right now she is in solitary confinement, to keep the peace in the female zebra cage...and so I don't drown her.

The 2nd one I have mating with a gray that just NEEDED to mate. I had him with the above hen. They mated several times but no eggs, so she was removed and replaced with the 2nd nasty hen. He overwhelmed her nastiness with his need to mate. When I put him in her cage, he mounted her in less than 30 seconds, despite her nastiness. Getting pregnant changed her attitude, now they are getting along fine with 5 eggs. But I have a feeling that she will easily revert back to nastiness when I separate them after the clutch has weaned.

I rescued a male gray zebra that was badly plucked on the back of his neck. 1 year later and most of the back of the neck is still bare. When he stretches his neck you can see the neck from the back. I don't know if he had an AGGRESSIVE female mate, or an aggressive male cage mate. The prior owner just said that his son let the other bird escape. BTW this is the male that is mating w the 2nd of my nasty hens.