Zebra noob questions

[Ctfinch]

So this evening little almond decided to escape while I was cleaning his cage so I let him just fly around for a little as he seemed to like the exercise. As he was out I just sat still watching him and he kept doing the whole open beak thing were he just opens and closes his beak like a long yawn. I was curious about this as I still noticed he only does this when he feels as if he may be stressed or maybe feeling endangered. This seems normalish I think, opinions?!

Also, after a while, he landed on top of his cage and to my surprise, he allowed me to boop his tummy with my finger and he then climbed onto my finger allowing me to lower him into the cage with no hassle. But i noticed he has a small blemish on his beak, almost resembling a scuff on the side , could this be damage of some sort by maybe hitting a wall or a rough landing? And if so, do finches kind of "shed" their beaks in a way as if the blemish, over time, may dissipate?

Just overly cautious I feel but I dont want anything bad to happen and I am not a fan of letting free fly to much...

[lovezebs]

Ctfinch

Welcome to the Forum, and congratulations on your new little friend.

As my fellow finchers already pretty much covered it all, I just wanted to say hello.

One quick question, are you interested in breeding? If not, it would be wiser to get your birdling a boyfriend rather than a girlfriend .

Good luck, and best wishes.

~Elana~

[Ctfinch]

This is what I'm talking about in my last post. The little scuff on the beak. Has anyone else had this before?

[lnlovesorange]

My female zebra had something similar, and it just went away, i was very nervous about it, but she was fine, and it went away, but I believe that someone told me to make sure to give him plenty of Greens which have vitamin A (i believe... chime in anyone that knows better than me ahem MiaCarter Sheather lovezebs Colt lol But It looks to me like your little guy is still molting into his adult plumage, and has a ways to go!!!! His cheeks will most likely get larger and deeper/darker orange, he will also get rust colored area on his flanks with white polka dots, and much more barring on his chest... he will be quite stunning. BUT just wanted to let you know that he is molting so if you see a BUNCH of tiny little feathers it's OK, BUT you should give him some egg food (all i, and most forum members do is hard boil eggs, then garlic press them, or smash them as small as you can (shell and all, or you can peel the shell crush that up and serve separate) and serve to him. Protein will be good for his feather growth. Wow, sounds to me like you have a tame finch. So free fly time should be easier for you than most, maybe the breeders hand tamed him. Most finches don't jump on your finger, you can't even get your hand remotely close to them, let alone "bump" their bellies! Which is really cool for you cuz taming a finch is TOUGH work, they have NO trust in humans!! lol, but once he is used to you .... he'll be less nervous. The open mouth breathing during free fly time is just that, as if you went from only being able to pace around your room, then all the sudden you went and ran your hardest around the block... you would probably have to open your mouth to breath too!! he just wasn't used to all that excercise!!! I'm sure he's fine. If you can get a little closer on the beak, does it look like my picture? If so, it will go away, and where he is young, his beak MAY still have some coloring up to do (they go from black to BRIGHT orange) his looks like it may get a little brighter. They're pretty tough little guys though, I'd be willing to be he's ok, but again a little closer look if possible, just to be on the safe side. So glad you are getting him a friend!!! I think everyone will be happier!!! Good luck with him, sounds like you are doing wonderful already (even though "free fly" was by accident!! lol And WELCOME to the forum, you've come to the right place!!!!

[Ctfinch]

Thank you for the response! The little scratch went away on his beak! he has really gotten use to me so far. he is so cool! Im getting the female soon as well so im excited!