Zebra finches - size and behavioural differences

[can]

Hi - I have kinda a funny question, which I am thinking maybe someone might have an answer.

I have three Zebra finches: a pair Meadow and Somerset, and a single male named Klyde. Meadow and Somerset were abandoned by their previous owner so I don't know anything about their past, however Klyde is the product of two of my husband's old zebras.

Anyways, I have notice that Meadow and Klyde are much larger birds than Somerset, beautiful birds, but as larger birds they are more clumsy and awkward flyers. And when they fly they are louder than any of my other birds (even the one's larger than them). Somerset on the other hand, flies very well (much like my owl finch) doing circles and is fast.

Somerset is also a passive bird, where Meadow and Klyde both have aggressive histories. Klyde killed his past mate (while he was in the care of his previous owner), and Meadow is a plucker.

Anyways, I'm just wondering if anyone has any insight in to this. I'm currently reading a book about the breeding of domestic animals as it relate to behavioural issues, which lead me to wonder about somethings.

Thanks.

[DanteD716]

I have English and a few normal zebras, the English zebras ae larger, and have shorter wings, and I can pull them out and since they are so clumsy and slow flyers, they never get away.

[ac12]

I have the American size, and I "had" a small American which unfortunately was plucked to death by his cagemate.

Almost all my zebras are tempermental. Some are more aggressive than others, to the point of BADLY plucking their cagemate. I had 2 cases of death by being BADLY plucked and 1 case of plucked/pecked to bleeding. Zebras have been a housing problem for me. I have them either in pairs or individually to control/limit the aggression between them.

It is a chore to juggle the pairing to find pairs that won't have aggression problems. But even with those w/o aggression, one bird could later turn on the other. I have to constantly check the birds to make sure that one is not being plucked by the other.

[can]

Thanks Dante and Gary,

I agree there is an aggressive element and touchiness to zebras, at least more so than any of the other birds I have. But Gary, have you ever noticed if the larger, clumsier zebras have a tendency toward aggression more so than the smaller zebras? Could aggression be tied to breeding larger, stockier birds? I'm just wondering. I don't imagine either Meadow or Klyde would be well suited for nature.

Also, I take it there are English zebras and American zebras - how are they different? And how common are English zebras in N. America now?

[ac12]

I don't have the larger English zebra, so I can't comment on them.
But my normal and small American both seem to be just as aggressive, their size does not seem to mater. There are individuals which are worse and better.

[LuxandLolita]

Imo i think it depends on the bird really,they can be sweet and turn agressive or sometimes vise versa. Lux was a wonderful bird.even through his first clutch and after ivy died.
This last clutch with lolita he has plucked the chicks like mad.not to death but completely bald in some spots..
They are normal americans 3inches long at most

[Vargur]

Gary: could you not do something about it (the plucking to death)
before it got too worse?
If I see a bird that is being plucked just a little bit,
I take that bird and put it in qurarantine to recover,
that have only happend two or three times.

[DanteD716]

Thanks Dante and Gary,

Also, I take it there are English zebras and American zebras - how are they different? And how common are English zebras in N. America now?

Physically, English have shorter/smaller beaks, are more round/plump, and seem more stout, mine have shorter wings and legs than my American. They also don't seem as mean, my "American" fawn hen is a big you know what, but my two english hens are sweet, and don't bicker. They seem common enough, I guess they are classified as show size, but I do not think mine are show quality (but I do like the way they look more than my normals) I should try getting some good photos, my only normal hen is very large, so it wouldn't be a good size demonstration, but you could notice the differences