What Mutation Is This?

[PrettyBird]

*sigh* Ok I recieved an email today from a lady who could no longer care for her finches, and she asked if I'd be interested in them. She was giving them away with a large cage.
I cant say no to animals needing new homes. So I told her ok. She told me she had no idea what types of finches they were. She just knew they were brother and sister, they are 4 years old and that she had them since they were babies.

Hate how people get animals and dont even know what species they are! Especially owning them for 4 YEARS! drives me nuts.

So picked them up today. Saw them and told her they were zebras.
She then said "oh and they have eggs..I know they are brother and sister, so I usually just toss them out"

I have this thing about zebra finches...having bad experiences with them in the past, I really didnt want them again. My kids saw them and wanted them. So I put them in the car and home we went.

When I got home, I looked in the nest and there were at least 10 fertilized eggs!! Since they were siblings, I didnt know what to do. I sat there at home for a while, and finally decided to throw the whole nest out
This was a hard decision, so please no one come down on me for it.

I havent decided if Im going to keep these zebras or not. They are just not a species I want to have again. They are very very cute though.

Can someone who has more Zeb experience tell me what mutation they are? Im thinking CFW
The male has light peach colored cheek patches, and chesnut flanked sides. The rest of his body except the strips in the chest are white. Near the tail look fawn color though.

The female at first glance looks all white. She has the tear drops, and some coloring/fawn. For the most part shes all white.

I took 2 pics of them when I got home. They are pretty dark and appear greyish color. This is not true, in person they are very white! there is no grey. Tmrw I will get some more pics.

Female is on the left male on the right in both photos.
Click to view larger.

[Dayna]

They both look like CFW to me

[summert85]

FIRST of all, bless your heart for taking these birds in. they are beautiful by the way. secondly, u did the right thing tossing those eggs.

[cindy]

Possibly fawn CFWs........I also think it is wonderful that you adopted them. Personally, I think you did the right thing in regards to the eggs. If they did hatch the young could have had serious health issues.

[cindy]

this may help.... http://www.efinch.com/species/cfwzeb.htm

[Ameza]

It was the right decision to throw the eggs out, if these chick would have hatched they could have had serious health issues and even be deformed. It was the right call.

But yes the pictures are rather dark but by what you said the seem to be both CFW, the female might be split BC.

[PrettyBird]

Thank you everyone. It looks like those eggs were ready to hatch. Ive had zebras before, and I know what to look for when looking at eggs. I couldnt sleep all night knowing that there was at least 10 little babies in eggs ready to hatch that I just tossed into the trash, and out into the dumpster in the cold winter air....UGH I know it was the best thing to do, I just feel so crappy about it.

The zebras are doing well. Ive been watching the male though, hes always in the "mood" hes constantly singing to her, and looks like hes abotu to mount. It worries me. I just dont agree with having a bro and sis pair. These things always seem to happen. They will mate. He just wont leave her alone lol.
I still cant decide on weither to keep them or not. The lady who had them had a nest in the cage. I have no idea how many times they were able to mate and lay eggs. I feel sorry for the little hen. I have a feeling since this lady didnt even know what species of finch they were, she just let them mate and mate and mate, lay, lay, lay, lay, lay....Its probably taken alot out of her.

I will take some more pics once the sun rises ;) By then you will be able to better see their markings.

[finchmix22]

I would separate them soon, if you can. Otherwise, more eggs! I understand the concern about keeping the zebs. They can be trying at times, but are so cute and fun to watch.

[PrettyBird]

I cant seperate them unfortunately I dont have another cage.

Looking at them this morning, they look like they are CFW and Fawn (if thats possible). The males back is like a beige/creamy coloring. Very interesting.

Suns risen, I'll have pics up in a bit.

[PrettyBird]

Ok heres some way better pics I took of them this morning. The males back has like a cream/beige/white to it. And his cheek patches look like they are cream...Their tail bars look, light brown/brown. Female has some black on her chest, and a bit on the top of her head.

Have a look and tell me what you think.

[Kristy]

I have no help on what kind of zebra's they are. But i wanted to say that they are very pretty birds and it was so nice of you to take them in

[G8love4finches]

They are sweet looking little birds!.....Good decision with the eggs, but I know I would feel the same way!!

[PrettyBird]

Thx Debbie. They are quite cute. My kids want to keep them. But Im on the fence still.

Hopefully more people will check out the pics and tell me what mutation they are ;)

[Vargur]

beautiful CFWs!

[summert85]

For sure...very beautiful CFW...