FINCHforum

Hi!
I have a problem with my two zebra finches.

Half a year ago the female in the pair sadly passed away. This left my male zebra finch alone. I chose to buy a new female to keep him company because I know that they are social animals.

At first they got on but he was always reluctant to let the female into his nest. Eventually I noticed that the female was plucking feathers from his head!!! So I split the two of them in separate cages to stop the abuse

Two months later I re-introduced the female and it didn't work out. The male was being really territorial and kept charging at her like a mad bull. So I kept them separated, with their cages closely beside each other.

Now whenever their cages are apart they scream for each other, but when they're in the same cage the male attacks the female. I don't know whether to return the female and get a new one but it's been 6 months and I think they've become 'friends'. It's really sad to see them separated without any contact, I want them to be together!

Is it because zebra finches are monogamous so my male will never accept a new partner?
The female also has a separate nest of her own in her cage, does the male think she's laying a clutch?
Would removing the female's nest solve the problem?

I would really appreciate it if anyone could help me with this dilemma. Sorry for all the writing

Thank you!! <333

Not a zebra expert so I'll let someone else help you with your dilemma, just wanted to say welcome to the forum

LunaPlume

First of all, let me welcome you to the Forum.

Regarding your Zebra problems . I smile, because it seems that practically everybody that has Zebras, has some problems with them at some point or another.

Remove both birds to a safe area, and rearrange the bigger of your two cages. Take both nests out. Move perches around, move food and water dishes to different locations. Hang some silk plants in there, along with some spray millet, maybe a swing (if you don't already have one). In other words, change things around, so that the cage will look different.

Then reintroduce both birds into this 'new' cage together at the same time.

This way, it's not his cage, and it's not yer cage, it's theirs. So no one feels territorial or protective of it.

I would leave the nests out for the time being, until things calm down.

You didn't mention, but are you interested in breeding? If you're not, then I would leave the nests out permanently. Nests are for breeding, and if your boy and girl are not on the same page regarding mating, having a nest in there can trigger all sorts of nasty behaviour.

Zebras, don't need nests to sleep in. They will do just fine, sleeping on a perch.

Good luck

Elana

Thank you so much!!!

I'll try out your advice asap.
I don't really mind if they breed or not, as long as they're happy together.

My male zebra finch doesn't have any toes. He had an infection, similar to gangrene, where his toes would slowly turn black and fall off. Now he doesn't have any as all of them were amputated by the vet.

I'm worried that he'll be unable to sleep at all without a nest because he's only steady on his perch when he's awake.

Should I still keep the nest inside their cage?

Thanks again (*≧▽≦)

LunaPlume

Oh your poor litttle no toe boy .

How about a little platform or shelf in one corner close to the top of the cage, as a resting, sleeping place. It will offer a stable area for him to sit comfortably, and yet will not trigger the same mating/breeding behavior as a nest would. I do believe that some people on the Forum here have done this successfully.

Good luck

Elana

LunaPlume

Also, just another thought that came to mind. I'm not at all sure, that your little fella would even be able to mate, without toes. They use their toes/nails to hold on to the female when mating, so the poor little guy, might be out of luck in that department as well.

I wonder, if that's why it looks like he's trying to attack your girl when they get together...... maybe he's trying to mate, and it's just not working out. What exactly goes on, when he's 'attacking' her ?

Elana

Thanks!!!

I was thinking the same regarding his mating. When he had his old girlfriend who died I used to see him mate with her every now and then. Whenever she made a clutch of eggs, they were always infertile, so yeah, his mating must have failed. ( ≧Д≦)

Now whenever he's in the same cage with the new female, he makes a screeching noise and flies at her. He would also sit at the bottom of the cage (or in his nest) and prevent the female from eating the seeds by flying at her.

I don't really understand they're relationship anymore, sometimes he sings his song for her, other times he screams and charges at her.