Females behaviour

marisab · Post by **marisab** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:16 pm

Hello.

My pair of finches were being so persistent I finally gave them a nest. They made quick work of it and now have 7 eggs, the first of which is due to hatch Wednesday of this next week.

I am offering both their regular finch seed, egg food, and greens. They have calcium and two sources of water. One is a drinking bottle which they both know how to use, and the other is a bird bath.

I have notice when the male is busy sitting on the eggs, the female will come out, maybe eat and drink and then she sits in the bath. Just sits there. For a long time. If I walk up too close she flies away with the same amount of energy as always.

Why would she be spending SO MUCH time in the water? Otherwise she does her share of the work and sits on the eggs dutifully when its "her turn"

Any ideas?

Post by **Sally** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 5:40 pm

That is a new one on me. I know that almost all the finches love baths, and that extra humidity is provided to the eggs by the parents taking a bath and then returning to the nest damp, if not wet. It is just strange that she is sitting in the bath, not really taking a bath. Mine will come out of the nest, do their usual flinging water everywhere, then a little preening, and then hop back in the nest. Maybe someone else has noticed this with their birds.

marisab · Post by **marisab** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:19 pm

Hi.

Yes she is not just bathing. She just sits there for quite some time. When he comes out of the nest, she'll go in and sit on the eggs no problem, but when she gets free time again, she's back in the bath.

ladylovesfinch · Post by **ladylovesfinch** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:33 pm

One of my male gouldians also sits in the bath! I haven't timed him, but it seems about 45-60 seconds. He then does his usual splashing about, flinging water everywhere. My other male gouldian is very tentative with the bath. Guess they all have different preferences just like us

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This is an informative bit of info. Thanks for posting!

Post by **Hilary** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:26 pm

Kristen brought up a good point - how long is a "long time"? I have societies that seem to enjoy wading around in their bath as much as they enjoy flapping around.

marisab · Post by **marisab** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:51 am

Yeah, no she sits in there far longer than just "wading"

If I don't disturb her, and the male doesn't leave the nest, she'll sit in there for 15 minutes or more. Just sitting there, almost actually sitting.

funni_person · Post by **funni_person** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:09 am

eggbound???? nah what type is it?is it hot where you live? other than that that is all that i can say

marisab · Post by **marisab** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 3:28 pm

Hello

Well she kept the behavior up (Its a female JAVA) and then the eggs hatched and all the babies are here. So maybe the eggs needed moisture or something and she was soaking herself. I have no idea. But apparently things seem to be going well and they are caring for the babies properly.

Post by **Hilary** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:12 am

They can be weird little things, can't they?! Congrats on the chicks!

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:52 pm

The bathing finch is interesting as I wondered if they do that when they are sitting on eggs.

I know that Cockatiels as well as some other bird species need a shallow dish of water to sit in to help with egg laying and keep the proper moisture in the nest eggs.

She sounds like one smart mama finch.