Aggressive Zebra Finches?

Sorria · Post by **Sorria** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:16 am

I just joined the forums. I've had finches five years. My first finch was a Zebra finch. Since then, he has died, but I've gotten new Zebras since then. But for whatever reason, I've always had propblems with my Zebras being agressive. I don't know if its coincidental or not, but all of the agressive Zebras I've had had been male. The female Zebras I've had have been very peaceful.

Anyway, I have two Zebras in my cage currently, both of which are male. The one is okay (but he has his moments) and the other one is very aggressive. Whenever I get a new finch they attack them and make a screaming noise at them. Offentimes they mount them or chase them away from perches, nests, food bowls or water dispensers. I've also have several instances of some of my birds being plucked. I have an Orange-Cheek in the cage now that has no tail because its been plucked out. I find they constantly pick on my Orange-Cheeks, they always pluck the tails off any Society finch I get and they harassed and body-plucked my late female Pin-Tailed Whydah. Other than those species, once the finches are in the cage for a few days they start to leave them alone.

I don't like seeing my finches tailless because of the Zebras and I'm suspicious that they may have harassed my Pin-Tail and an old Gouldain to death as they were picking on both these birds and the birds had plucked feathers. I've seriouslky thought of not keeping Zebras anymore or of moving my Zebras to a different cage where they're not with any of my other finches.

Any ideas?

ladylovesfinch · Post by **ladylovesfinch** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:14 pm

Here is a link: www.finchinfo.com/housing/compatible_species.php
This will give you some idea's on compatibility. Zebra's are in the 'pushy' category and tend to be territorial IMHO.

I had a male and three hens (wife and daughters). I found the mother hen to be more aggressive and there was always some type of commotion going on in the cage. I found them to be fun, bouncy birds, but somewhat too pushy for me. It might be best to move them to their own cage, but I don't know how two males will get along together alone. Sorry I couldn't be of more help!

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:25 pm

Hello Sorria....Welcome!

I have two male Zebra brothers and they seem to get along just fine. (so far!) But maybe that is because they are brothers.

I have heard that sometimes when you remove the agressive zebra to another cage by himself for a few days and then return him he will not have the agressive attitude because he will be like "the new kid on the block again"....it may not work but just might be worth a try though!

Post by **Hilary** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:43 pm

I actually removed a young society male who was harassing and mounting new birds in his cage - removed him for a total of MAYBE 10 minutes. When the little bugger went back in he had a totally different attitude. "Now say you're sorry....."

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 5:34 am

How big is your cage? You need to make sure that it is big enough for everyone to have their own space. When introducing new finches, it helps to take everyone out and rearrange everything and then release them all at the same time. Zebras tend to pick on everyone, especially if you have nests in the cage with them. Another tip is to have a couple different feeding stations so that everyone can eat somewhere. Having 6+ finches in a large enough aviary can help. Also make sure there is plenty of perching space high up at the same height. Finches tend to fly to the highest perch for "dominance".

Sorria · Post by **Sorria** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:01 am

Thanks for your help everyone.

I actually do have three different feeding stations, though they are all fairly close together. There is also two different water dispensers as well as a finch bath. I have four perches at various different levels of the cage, but all my finches could more that fit on the top perch should they want.

Post by **Sally** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:02 am

The thing to remember about compatibility with finches is that there are always exceptions. The easiest numbers to deal with are 2 in a cage or 6 or more in a cage--just seems to work, though I have 5 Gouldians in a cage and they get along fine. Be sure to check the species info at FIC to see if there is a possibility of crossbreeding. Some finches will be aggressive to similarly-colored finches. Zebras are pushy, so you have to be careful about what species you house with them.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:08 am

I keep my Zebras alone because the can be some mean little buggers when they wanna be, much as I love there sond and look. lol
I keep mine in a HUGE cage also so no toes are stepped on,