A question from a new comer to the world of finches...

[Red]

Hi everyone. My family just bought a trio of male zebra finches and since I wasn't consulted before they purchased them (no surprise there), they didn't properly research the best way to take care of their new pets.

Now, after reading up, I find myself between a rock and a hard place. I have a trio of finches, but a 30"x18" cage, which, according to this site's standards, should really only hold a pair.

So, my question is: what should I do? Is it worse to have the third finch who, while it's only been a day, is already appearing to be left out? Or would it be better to risk getting a fourth? I don't want the third finch to be left out, or worse, start getting picked on, but I don't want to over crowd the cage and risk aggression that way. I want to stress that the three of them seemingly get along just fine, it's just really sad to see the one finch sitting by himself so much.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and I look forward to learning more about the beautiful creatures my family has brought into the house. Thanks in advance!

[nixity]

I think that size cage is just fine for three zebras - especially if they are all male, and all getting along

[Red]

Thank you very much for replying! I've been keeping my eye on them and they don't seem to be fighting or hurting each other. They're constantly flying about and it looks like they're jockeying for position within the cage, but nothing that looks violent.

So I guess getting the three isn't that big of a mistake. I'm glad they're able to get along!

[L in Ontario]

I agree, if they are not super aggressive I would leave them all together. They should be okay since there are no female Zebs around. It could take a few days to a week for them all to get used to each other and their new surroundings.

Congratulations on your new fids and Welcome to the Finch Forum

[B CAMP]

Welcome to the forum ,if you fill in your profile with where you live it makes it a lot easier to answer questions sometimes ,have you checked out the finch information center there is a lot of good reading there
http://www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/ ... _finch.php

[Red]

Thanks for the kind words. I have checked out the Finch Information Center and it has helped quite a bit with understanding my birds.

Another question, though. I've never owned birds before so I'm not entirely familiar with their habits, but what would be the signs of aggression? I keep an eye open for feathers on the bottom of the cage and I watch to see if they're bothering each other. I've seen, a few times, where one would fly over and sort of land on another, but it doesn't look malicious. More playful, I think.

I find it remarkable how active they are. They flutter around their cage constantly, which I've read is normal behavior, but when I first got them, I was worried it was because they were uncomfortable being around one another.

[L in Ontario]

They could be playing around. Over aggression is when they start beaking and biting each other and constantly harassing / chasing them - perhaps not letting them near the food and water dishes. Yours should be fine.

[Domenic]

Always listen for a telltale hissing sound. This is a definite sign of a aggression, and usually it will be made when one zebra is chasing the other. Don't get too paranoid though because a lot of noises sound like hissing from zebras. Once you hear it, it will be unmistakable. It is pretty loud and you can hear the aggression behind it.

[Red]

Ah, you are very right about the hissing! I heard it once and saw the other bird attack the other one. Now the sound is very clear and distinct.

However, I have a new problem. It's clear that two of my birds are fighting...often enough that I'm concerned. It seems like the aggression is getting worse, too. As if the more comfortable they become, the more they think it's OK to hassle each other. It was made very clear when one bird landed by the food, and the other pretty much pounced on it.

I think the culprit, or instigator, is the fellow who is missing its center toe. But it's really difficult to tell because it seems like two fight and the third doesn't, but out of the two, I can't figure out which is the aggressor. According to my family, they bought these birds from a small pet store which, from what they told me, didn't exactly keep their animals in the best way. (Yes, we reported them to the proper authorities) However, all three birds had bald spots (varying degrees of size) which, after much reading, I concluded were because of the way they were kept at the store. They clearly fought in their cages constantly.

I realize I need to separate the one who is causing the problems once I figure out who it is. The question is, what do I do with him? Once I separate him, I can't see getting another finch to keep him company as I'd fear he'd be aggressive with them, too. Will the aggression stop eventually? Could they just be figuring out what the pecking order within the cage is?

I'm sorry for sounding so clueless and I really, really appreciate everyone's help. I've never owned birds before in my life and I'm really at a loss as to their habits and tendencies. In the short time I've had them, I've grown very fond of the little twerps and I really don't want any harm to come to them.

[franny]

I think the problem is mostly that, in a smaller cage, they tend to get more aggressive, and in your case, an odd number of birds is the problem. One is always being "left out" with no one to buddy up with. If he tries, one of the two that have "paired up" gets aggressive and sends the odd one out packing.

I think the best bet would be to return one of the birds. The likelihood is that, which ever bird you return, the other two will settle down and become friends.

If you really can't part with one, then I'd say get him a mate and put them in a separate cage.

[ac12]

Some of the birds will have distinct personalities.

Sometimes if you keep 2 together, they eventually work it out and start to get along.

And sometimes not. I have 2 zebras that no mater what I did, one would not only chase, but fight with the other. They would get along for a few hours, then the fighting would start. It got to the point that I have the aggressive one in an isolation cage in solitary confinement.

Once you remove the aggressive one, the personalities of the others will develop, and you might see aggression between the other two. You just do not know what will happen.

But I agree, get down to just 2 birds, and it is more likely to be peaceful. But...I have seen an odd type of plucking. It seems when 2 birds (of the same sex) bond as buddies, the dominant bird will pluck the other bird, sometimes BADLY (entire rump plucked bare, entire back plucked bare, their flank plucked bare). I don't understand how this works but the other bird seems to put up with being plucked by his buddy. I have had to remove and separate these plucked birds many times to regrow their plucked feathers. Then I have had to re-pair the birds so the plucker is not with the pluckee.

[Red]

I've taken everyone's advice and I'm down to two birds. The cage is much, much calmer now. The two remaining birds seem to be getting along well, though the larger of the two does peck at the other one from time to time, but the hostility is nothing like it was.

Thank you to everyone. I think we're going to be OK now.

[franny]

Great news! Now you'll be able to really enjoy watching them lead their busy little lives. They are fascinating to watch. Just try offering them some new kind of green food and you'll get all kinds of reactions.