FINCHforum

My zebra finchs are in the fledgling stage of raising their first clutch. I had to remove the nest to stop the male from plucking everyone including himself (I don't have another cage yet). It worked but now all the birds including the parents seem confused at night as to where to sleep. When I turn off the lights (there is still minimum light from an alternate source), they all try to roost in the same exact spot and end up flying around the cage as they push each other out of the way. Even odder is the spot they picked is not even on a perch but the very top corner of the cage opposite of where the nest used to be (they hang on the side of the cage). Finally what ends up happening is that they end up settling on the perch just below the spot but they pile on top of each other. It's a pretty funny site. Even the adults do this, not just the chicks.

A couple observations: First, the alternate light source (usally the hallway light or light from another bedroom) shines from the direction they try to perch near. Are they trying to go towards the light like a moth? Second, I noticed they seem to settle easier when I gradually dim the light (by slowly closing the door). When the lighting goes from one extreme to another is when they fight to get to this one spot. Are finches afraid of the dark? Do their eyes adjust like ours and maybe they are blinded and frightened?

I do my best to slowly darken the room now so they settle before it's too dark, but I'm still curious about the behaviour.

One more question, I know it is easier to capture a finch in the dark, but something odd about my chicks (just odd to me as this is new). When it is bright in the room, the chicks flee from me as fast as they can. When the room is dark, I can touch some of them without them moving even when I know they see my hand (one pecked at my finger but didn't fly off). Anyone know what this is about?

re nest.
Yes they will look for their nest for a few days. Kind of like "where did my nest go?" They get over this in a few days to a week.

re light
A nightlight near the cage is a good idea. It helps them find their way back to the perch if they get spooked off the perch. It also give them some bearing so they don't fly head first into the side of cage injuring themselves. Some of my birds do the same, they roost on the perch end at the front of the cage, nearest the room lights, as I usually have a room light on when their cage light goes off. My night lights, string of xmas tree lights, goes on 10 min before the cage lights goes out, so all the birds know that the lights will go out in a little while.

Mine will spook if I stick my hand in the cage after lights out. I have read about your experience, but that is not the same for my zebras.