What is this lighter zebra?

[Bluebonnet]

Thanks! I really appreciate all the comments and support from everyone.

The little girl and boy in the picture above are doing really well for looking so bad. They're very alert and curious, have great appetites, seem to enjoy each other's company, and are the calmest of all of the zebras.

So it sounds like it'll be quite a while before they get their feathers replaced? That none will come in until they go through their next molt? Any way to tell when that might be?

Out of the 10 zebras, 6 have feathers plucked, with the above 2 and the baby being the worst. I can hardly wait to get baby away from mom and dad.

[Vargur]

Moma zebra look like she is split BC

[cindy]

Moma zebra look like she is split BC

The tear is the clue????

[Vargur]

yes the tearmark looks like a half circle (
and there are black smudges in the breast area.
Thicker tearmark or half circle tearmark indicates
that the bird is split Bc.
Even traces of black feathers in this area along with
thicker tearmark.


But what is wrong with her leg?
I would not breed her with a leg like that

[DanteD716]

Elma, I thought the same thing but I guess it indicates malnourishment

[Bluebonnet]

I don't know what is wrong with her foot, the guy I got these from said it was that way when he got her a year ago.

All this talk about mutations is interesting, and while it's tempting, I will not be breeding these zebras. So with (local forum member) Deborah's (and her daughter's) help the male and female siblings are now split up into same-sex cages and will be doing the same with Mom and Dad once Baby is fully weaned.

And if Mom is malnurished I hope she won't be much longer. She has a healthy appetite and is eating egg food and veggies along with seeds so I think she'll be fine.

Whew! My life used to be so much simplier.

[cindy]

Deborah will help you get them settled in and healthy....Keep us posted.

[finchmix22]

Well, since I now have seen these zebras in person, I have to say they are so blessed that LInda rescued them and is taking such good care of them all! They're all alert and active. Many have feathers plucked, but they're starting to grow pin feathers. There are some interesting mutation colors and several look as if they're split to fawn or may have other mutations. There is a fawn juvenile and other interesting colors in these finches. It will be interesting to see them regrow their feathers and see what they end up looking like once they're all healthy and full of feathers. I enjoyed meeting Linda and she has put a lot of effort, time and expense into getting the zebras healthy. Good Job!

[Bluebonnet]

Thanks, Deboroa! It was nice meeting you too. I'm glad to know their feathers are starting to come back. I'm going to see if I can get some better lighting in my place, mostly for the birds but so I can take better pictures.

[tinysparrow]

Linda i'm so glad to hear that these little guys are doing well please continue to keep us all updated on their progress!

[Bluebonnet]

Thanks Amy. I still have some issues to resolve with these zebras. I may be back later looking for some forum advise. If so then I'll start a new thread.