FINCHforum

So I had my society pair raise one of my BC zebra finches that the parents tossed... well now he is about 6 weeks old and is starting to sing! I wish I knew how to record this little guy singing b/c he doesn't sound like a zebra finch! I feel so bad... he's doing like a half society/half zebra song and standing how male societies stand when they sing!

Just thought I'd share that... it is funny, yet I feel bad b/c I probably can't breed him now....

I would think that he'll be fine once he's around zebras and "learns their ways". I have a gould that was raised by societies but has week-old chicks in the nest - obviously his mate didn't think anything was wrong with him! (Of course, he IS a handsome little devil.....)

I myself have a pair of societies that are raising a star baby.
Will be two weeks old tomorrow and doing great!

The stars are in same cage, HQ single flight. They pretty much ignore the societies. I have heard them making a different type of 'chirping' like they are talking to the baby, although they show little interest in the nest.

I have to wonder how this little one will develope Will he stay with the foster parents, or hang with his real parents when fledged? Will he act like the star or society?

Going to be interesting...

Well I have zebra finches in my same flight as the society/zebra finch and he still cuddles with the societies... not the zebras... so I don't know.

I read about a study done by a German ornithologist that showed that zebras, raised by societies, acted like societies and tried to breed with societies. Their courtship behavior and song was that of a society, not a zebra finch.

These finches eventually began to act like zebras only when removed from the company of society finches and placed with other zebras alone.

However, Goulds apparently do not "imprint" (for lack of a better word) with societies and seem to not be affected at all by being fostered by birds other than Goulds.

Well... this zebra finch sings like a society not like a zebra. He has his full color and looks exactly like the zebra finches. He sleeps with the societies still and the zebras don't.

EmilyHurd, so glad to see you back! You haven't been here for a while, so I was wondering (nosy thing, aren't I?). Can you place that Zebra chick in a separate cage with some Zebras? I have one Owl baby raised by Societies, and I have been told that I need to get him with other Owls. Unfortunately, the only other Owls are his parents, and they are still trying to raise a clutch. He piles in the nest every night with the Societies.

Thanks! Yeah... personal stuff... moving, etc... I don't mind that he acts like a society finch, I think it is really cute. He's in with both zebras and societies and it's fine. I think it keeps the other zebras calmer.

Anything that can keep the Zebras calmer would be a plus for me!

Well I love this little guy and think it is great to have him so much calmer than regular zebras!