Two rambunctious, hand-fed zebra fledglings

[mlisa73]

Is this what molting looks like?

[debbie276]

Looks like that one with the curled feathers is sitting in something like a nest. Reminds me of hens that are incubating eggs. Or the feathers are being damaged by the bars of the cage they are in.
Molting, you first see pin feathers then the feather emerges from the shaft when it splits. Those feathers are most always in perfect condition.

[lovezebs]

mlisa73

Agree with Debbie.

Is this your female, who is sitting on eggs?

[mlisa73]

No, this is my male fledgling actually.

[lovezebs]

mlisa73

Did he fledge out of the nest like that? Or is this something recent ?

Have these kids been offered a bath?

[debbie276]

Probably just feather damage from the nest and/or bars of the cage now that he's learning to get around. They should straighten out in time.

[lnlovesorange]

mlisa73 I'm alittle late to the party, but my guess is you deffinittely have a boy there, make sure he can at least hear the other male zebra in the house so he learns how to sing my babies were trying to sing at like 19 days old!!! It's really endearing at first they try and try but they don't really have much of a voice yet.. then they screech and meep and beep... I still love em though! This is great that you hand tamed them! I"m jealous, but my hookbill is so needy, I can't imagine 2 other birds needing me the way he does, so at this point in my life I'm glad to not have more tame!!! I just wanted to comment, cuz I think that's great that you saved them!!! And seems like you are doing great!!! Keep up the good work, and more pictures!!! (are they pied?)

[lnlovesorange]

And yes as lovezebs said, make sure they have a bath, I bet that will help straighten that tail feather right out!

[mlisa73]

lovezebs

I have been giving them baths every evening, yes, and I read what you wrote last night before their bath, so I made sure that tailfeather got good and wet. It didn't make much difference. BUT... tonight, after their bath...





Back to normal now! (He's on the left in both photos) And aren't these guys so photogenic! ♥

@lnlovesorange Thanks so much for reading the thread. This is my first time dealing with any fledglings, so I'm still learning. But I really am glad I took the *FABULOUS ADVICE FROM THIS AMAZING FORUM* and hand-raised these little stinkers. They might scare me a bit when they take off after a feeding, might sling food in my hair, or poop on my shirt, but they are truly such a joy!

Here's another VIDEO I recorded today. Sorry the quality isn't as good (this is using my tablet and photobucket), but you can see his spayed tailfeather (this was before their bath).

[lovezebs]

mlisa73

Glad that your little one's tail feathers are back to normal

Do the kids get a chance to dry completely before bedtime (after their bath)? You mentioned, that they have their bath in the evenings. Sometimes if they go to bed damp, they might have the 'feather bed head' look in the morning, lol. I would recommend morning baths (if possible ), which gives them the opportunity to puff and fluff themselves completely dry.

They are adorable

[mlisa73]

UPDATE...

Just wanted to share the link to my Zebra Finch Slideshow so you all can follow their growth and progress. As of today, they are 2 months and 7 days old and doing WONDERFULLY!!!