Zebra Finch Sex and Age?

[JeveFinch]

So I went to the pet shop yesterday for a dog bed, so naturally I looked at the birds and I saw a zebra finch that I loved and couldn't help myself but to buy it (yes I'm weak). The pet shop was clueless as to what mutation it is but it is dark, almost black with brown sides. The pet shop told me it was a young female and it looks like a female because it doesn't have a clear cheek patch, but next to the tear drop is a thin line of orange sort of like an outline of the tear drop so I'm not sure if it's actually a boy with hidden or unformed cheek patches?? Anyway I have it in quarantine now and one thing I know is to never fully trust a pet shop. I know with budgies you can tell around about how old they are by their iris, is that the same with zebra finches, is there any other indicator for age?

[finchmix22]

JeveFinch
What color is the beak? If it's still dark, it's very young and may not be fully weaned. If the beak is orange or red, the red is male and the orange is female. So, that's your best way to sex the zebra at this point. Of course, males will sing and if you hear singing, it's a boy! As far as mutation, can you post a pic? That helps to id them better.

[JeveFinch]

finchmix22 I can't really tell whether it's red or orange, I see a weird I between colour but my eyes aren't the best. I'm not sure whether you can see it in the photos or not but what threw me was the line of orange next to the teardrop.

[lovezebs]

JeveFinch
The beak is very orange from what I can see, so my guess would be female.
Very interesting colours. I have not seen one like this before. Would it be possible to get a complete side view picture? I'd like to see what she looks like from the side, just for curiosity. By the way, does this bird have red eyes, or is that just a flash effect?

Whatever she/he is, definitely a cutie.

~Elana~

[JeveFinch]

lovezebs she does have very red eyes, which I was surprised with when I got her. After many many photos this is the best side one I could get, she kept flying around and it was hard to get a good photo. If I can get a better one I will post that later

[cindy]

this looks to be a male zebra, the mutation is Eumo (recessive). "Male Description: Orange cheek patch partially or wholly missing and replaced by grey, breast, belly, and vent regions solid black, with no trace of any other pigment. Tail coverts black or at least lacking some of the typical white dots, giving some individuals a completely black rump, tail and vent (a striking appearance). Flanking of male mostly devoid of spots though many will show occasional spots. (photo above are of young birds not yet in full color"

It is not a hen. In Eumo the hens do have the black between the tear and the cheek but are minus the orange flanking see pictures and full article on this site http://www.zebrafinch.com/NewZebra/Eumo/Eumo_Zebra.html

http://www.zebrafinch.com/NewZebra/Eumo/eumomale.jpg male

http://www.zebrafinch.com/NewZebra/Eumo/eumo_front.jpg hen

[dutch]

JeveFinch...I agree with cindy..this bird is a male

[cindy]

Eumo is recessive so if you get him try to find a visual Eumo hen or a split to Eumo to make visual Eumos.

[JeveFinch]

Thanks cindy and dutch. I will try to find him a Eumo hen but I'm not sure where I would find one, i don't want to get one from the pet shop that I got him from incase of inbreeding, and I don't know any zebra breeders in my area except one but I don't believe he has Eumo's as I have never seen any darker coloured zebras in his aviaries. I will try my best even if I have to wait for the next bird show in ballarat. Thanks again

[cindy]

a little word of advice regarding Eumos...the flight feathers on this mutation are unlike other zebra mutations....instead to the feathers looking as you expect they are barbed instead. The birds do not typically fly well. If you get the bird check the flight feathers on him...if he is full Eumo and not mixed carrying other mutation genes his flights will be barbed. You will need to give him low perches with perches available for him to easily fly short distance or hop up. In aviary situations they tend to stay to the bottom until the master how to get to the top and back down.

Some breeders mate them with non Eumos with the hopes the offspring will fly a bit better. you can pair it with a black cheek or orange breast or a normal gray hen http://www.zebrafinch.com/NewZebra/Eumo/Eumo_Zebra.html

[Finchy123]

*BUMP*

Seeing as you're from Australia, that would be a Charcoal, not a Eumo.

They're practically identical, except the Charcoal's don't have the feather/flying issue that Eumo's have (as Cindy described).

[cindy]

Correct a Charcoal!!! Good catch finchy123.... if you were in the sates it would be a Eumo. Definitely a male though

[Mandarim]

Does anyone know where I could get a Eumo in the United States? Thanks

[cindy]

there are several breeders with them, what state are you located in?