FINCHforum

Wow, I was looking at my old posts and haven't been here in almost 3 years. Wow time flies!

Anyhoo, I just have a quick question for you guys if you could help.

A little background. I have upgraded my birds since the last time I was here from 3 flights into one large aviary. Everyone gets along just fine. Lots of room!

So 1 year ago a local petstore had a pair of diamond firetail finches for sale. They were VERY expensive and this store store does not sell a great many birds.
The pair were kept in a small 20 inch cage, with only 2 perches. Over the course of the year the birds were obviously suffering from lack of exercise and were getting quite fat. They did not look well. Very pale and "dusty" looking. I don't thnik they were allowed a bath in all that time. They kept reducing the price of them, I guess to try and make the sale.

Finally 3 months agoI decided that I was going to buy them. When I went to buy them they had split the pair and sold one!
The other was miserable. I told them you should not split a pair like that, especially after so long together, but they said management said to make money where they could. So I bought the other who was in very bad shape. It had a respiratiory infection, was obese and could no longer fly from lack of exercise! After much care (and trips to the vet) it is 100% healthy(and flying) I am happy to say!
So after 2 months of quarantine I introduced it to the aviary. Within 2 weeks it had bonded with one of my zebs and they are now inseperable.
So finally my question!
They have built a nest in the corner of the aviary and I noticed this morning there are 3 eggs. Now I know that "Light" the firetail is a she!
Can zebras and diamond firetails hybridize? Do I need to remove the eggs or will they not be fertile? I do not want any hybrids, nor do I want anymore birds. I believe they were layed very recently, within a few days.

According to the FIC they will hybridize. If you don`t want any more birds or to hybridize I would suggest removing the eggs.

I would definately remove the eggs, i wouldn't want any hybrids.
I would suggest trying to get a cock Diamond for her and try and get her to pair up with him instead.
She is obviously keen to start a family.

Thank you very much. I was afraid they might be compatible. I will remove the eggs first thing in the morning.

I will also rearrange the plants in the aviary to hopefully prevent future nest building. Thanks again.

P.S. On the plus side I guess that means she's feeling good!

Yes, you could definately say that you brought her back
Koodo`s to you for saving her.

Just out of curiosity, if I were to get a mate for her, how would I know it was a male? They look almost identical. At the petstore I thought "Light" was the male as she was the darker of the pair.

How would I get them to bond? She is VERY bonded to the zeb. They go everywhere together. Would I need to house the fire tails seperatly until they bonded? I read somewhere that they are picky about choosing mates.

This certainly wouldn't be for awhile. Cutbacks at work have left getting a new expensive finch quite out of the question I'm afraid. Thanks for the help.