A second finch or not

[Zebedee]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I never thought I would buy a caged bird but I was in a pet shop recently buying dog food and they had a small zebra finch that had been part of a group of 6. She had been bullied by the other birds and had been separated. There was concern that she would find a home so I bought her. She is a delight but the shop owner said that she would never get on with another bird as she had been bullied. From your experience is this the case? I would love to buy her a companion but if not I will ensure she has the best life possible. Many thanks

[Sally]

Finches usually do not do well alone, as they like other finches for company. This little bird may have been bullied because she was the most submissive in the group, or because there were too many birds in the cage (often the case in pet shops), or a myriad of other reasons. If she has been plucked, I would keep her alone till her feathers grow back, but then I would get her a companion. If you just want pets and no breeding, then I would get another Zebra hen to be her friend, or you could go for a hen of another species. Society finches get along with just about everyone, but they are hard to sex. I'm sure other members will have other suggestions as well.

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at the Finch Information Center, linked at left, where you will find articles on compatibility with finches, housing, diet, and the Zebra finch.

[Hilary]

Ditto what Sally said. Once she's in good shape again (doesn't "look" bullied) I'd give her a friend (female if you don't want breeding - zebbies are like rabbits in that respect). She'll be happier, and with just the two most likely they'll end up as best buddies.

[MiaCarter]

I would definitely pair her with another bird once she recovers.

If she has plucked feathers, those will need to heal. Otherwise, it can promote more plucking and bullying.

But once she's physically normal, there's no reason she can't be paired up with another bird. You could do another zebra or a society. Societies tend to get along with everyone and bullying is much less common than among other species like zebras (who are very bossy and dominant, generally speaking).

Some of my best, most well-bonded pairings have involved bullied birds, so that's absolute rubbish that she can't be with another bird. Especially when the bullying took place in a pet shop environment, which is highly stressful and the dynamics are often terrible (you have birds constantly being added and subtracted from the equation, so it's absolute flock instability, combined with waaay too many birds per cage and often nests present too. This all promotes aggression and lash-outs, both offensive and defensive.)

I've also had very good luck pairing bullying victims together. My love-at-first-sight-turned-epic-birdie-romance pairing with a zebra male and society female involved two birds who were bullied. (Her more than him. He was only bullied because he drove the others nuts with incessant pacing after his mate died.)

Finches are a social species. They should never be alone, with the exception of very rare cases with severe aggression (and even with those birds, it's usually a matter of finding the *right* cage mate).

Let me just say that I despise pet shop owners and others who are in a position of "authority" who spread misconceptions and lies to pet owners. It's just plain irresponsible.
I'm *really* glad you asked about this; I fear for the many others who didn't have the sense to ask or research something they were told by a pet shop owner or similar....and their birds are now suffering as a result.

[Zebedee]

Thank you so much everyone for this great advice. I know what I will be doing as soon as a I can! I think another hen finch (if that is what you call the girls) will be first on my list tomorrow.

[Zebedee]

We are now looking for a mate for our zebra finch - do you have any good tips please on how to introduce them? With many thanks again.

[MiaCarter]

Zebedee -- Well, you typically do a quarantine. But if you just got this one from the pet shop and now you're getting another, it may be rather pointless.

But generally, I'll put them side by side in separate cages. I usually let them socialize outside the cages during free flight time.

Then, I'll rearrange the cage and put the new one in there. I typically watch for 2-3 hours to ensure they're getting along nicely. A little snippity-ness is normal as they establish boundaries and get to know each other. Most tend to keep their distance in the beginning and with time, they venture closer.
As long as they make it through those first few hours without serious nasty-ness, they're typically just fine.
Of course, you'll want to keep a close eye on them still. But it's the same general rule that you use with dogs. If they don't try to murder each other within the first few hours, you're generally good.

I try to introduce in the late afternoon, early evening. So they're not stressed for hours on end. There's a stressful introduction, then they rest for the night, then it's a new day and it's usually much less tension.

I'd try to pick someone who's more passive.
So I'd watch their behavior for a bit at the shop. You'll get an idea of who's dominant. The dominant birds tend to approach the others. They dominate the best, highest spots in the cage. They'll physically stand taller than others when on level ground like a perch.
I'd opt for someone who's more passive; not the alpha. I've had lots of luck with that approach when pairing my bullying victims.

[lovezebs]

Zebedee
Welcome and goodluck with your new little girl.
If you do wish to breed, then of course a male is what you will be looking for.
If I were you, I would not get one from the same pet shop. First of all, they may be related brother/sister. Also, if it's from the same batch that was causung her grief, this behaviour may continue. Would be better to go to another shop or a breeder.
It's always a good idea to keep the two birds apart initially, so that they don't start off on the wrong foot. Another cage or a divider is a good idea, so that they can see and hear each other and get to know one another without feeling in any way threatened.

Good luck and enjoy.

[Zebedee]

Many thanks of all of your advice. I went to a breeder and was really happy with how the birds were looked after and housed. I bought a male Zebra Finch and the 2 of them hit it off straightaway. I can sense that my hen finch is so much happier. They perch together and she is grooming him. They are an absolute delight and I find that I sit with them for long periods of time to enjoy their company. They have definitely added something to my life and I hope now that I have added to theirs. Thank you to all.

[MiaCarter]

Zebedee -- This is wonderful news!
I'm happy to hear they're doing well!

Indeed, a social species always seems happier with a friend.

[HarleeD]

I am new to this site and relatively new to finch caring. I took 2 finches from my mother and 2 from my brother as theirs are breeding wildly, lol. 2 zebras and 2 social, the zebras died on Thanksgiving morning 2013 so I decided I would splurge on some "exotic" ones and bought 2 black crowned waxbills to replace them. Approximately 2 months ago sadly one of those died, I am now left with 1 waxbill and 2 socials. My question is: can I replace the one that died with any type finch or do I have to splurge and take a chance on another waxbill?? Mom has 4 more social babies coming and my thought was to take some from her as she has 10 in her cage already. Any advice you can give me would be great! Thank you!

[wilkifam]

HarleeD

By social, I assume you mean society finches..... Another Society would probably get along fine.

[lovezebs]

HarleeD

Societies are great birds for beginners.
I guess my question would be, why are they dying?
How large is your cage? What are you feeding them?
Is the cage large enough for them to fly a bit and get exercise?
Does their diet include a good seed mixture, fresh water, a variety of fruits, vegetables and greens? Hard boiled eggs are great. Cuttlebone, mineral block, multi vitamins? All these things are very important to keep your birds healthy and alive.

Goodluck.

[kyubi]

Congrats on the zebra ... I'm glad u got her a mate , especially a male, they will bond beautifully ...
Harley ... I think it's the cage size n the diets... Agree with lovezebs

[HarleeD]

lovezebs

My zebra's died because I failed to move them to another room when I was cooking my turkey on Thanksgiving, I didn't realize I was using the non stick pan for it and by the time I smelled the odor it was too late. The waxbill I can't give you a reason, it was fine at bed time and when I went to look for it the next morning it was dead, I had only had it about a month and they were shipped from the state of Washington. Their cage is a sufficient size for what I have per the research I have done and they have all items you suggested except for the hard boiled eggs and fresh veg/greens. I clean the cage daily and give them fresh bath and drinking water, I buy bagged essential blend food by ecotrition or essential blend by the pound.

My greatest concern at this time is whether I could replace the waxbill I lost with a society as company for the existing waxbill or should I spurge again and attempt another waxbill from the same breeder I used before. Thank you all!!