Two new Zebra Finches..ID/sexing help?

marisab · Post by **marisab** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:38 pm

Hello. I took in two Zebra Finches from a friend. I've had lots of other birds but not Zebras.

Anyways I know one is called "white" but the other I have no idea. I also believe both are males. Can anyone confirm?

If both ARE males does it even matter? They get along fine however there is a hanging straw nest in there that both seem to want to be in, but only one fits in. If one is in it, the other is waiting outside to get in it if the other leaves. Should another one be added?

Thanks for ideas on the sex and variety of these two.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:48 pm

Going by the beaks - they are both males. The orange cheeks is a give away that one is definitely male and the deep orange colour of the beaks confirm both are male.

Re the nest - must be very tiny if only one can fit at a time. I would get a larger one to let both fit.

Congrats on your new birds.

marisab · Post by **marisab** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:52 pm

Thank you. From all the reading I've done, I also thought both were males. I've read that typically the female white zebra will have an orange beak, while my white zebra's beak is the same color as his cagemate's, red.

Any ideas on what type the "colored" one is anyone?

nachoman · Post by **nachoman** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:18 am

Is it a fawn???

williep · Post by **williep** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:21 am

I don't think it's quite a fawn, the fawns have a deeper brownish colour that covers more of the body, though I'm not too sure what he is.

As both are males I would completely remove the nest, nesting behaviour can encourage aggression and since they are both male there is no point having a nest. Zebras do just fine perching at night they don't need a nest to sleep in.

Good luck with them and congrats, they are beautiful birds.

Thinus · Post by **Thinus** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 1:17 am

The other cock is a Chestnut Flanked White, most probably split for Black Breast. That would be my bet.

Shell · Post by **Shell** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 4:01 am

They look like the two new one's I just got. They r both boys best of bubs they sleep in the same nest as all other's r taken.