HOME

BIRDS &
INFORMATION
SHEETS

BIRD
SUPPLIES

SEED

SUPPLEMENTS

FEED

BOARDING

GROOMING &
SERVICES

ABOUT THE
OWNERS

CONTACT US

STORE HOURS

MAIL

IN THE WILD

The native home of the “wild type” or “normal grey” zebra finch is Australia, where they are to be found widely distributed over all areas of grassland or scrubland.   There are seven recognized sub-species among which differences are small.

IN CAPTIVITY

There is no record as to when the first zebra finches were kept in aviculture, but the early records do indicate that the zebras readily adapted to cage life and were easily bred in captivity.  In 1952, a small group of enthusiasts formed the “Zebra Finch Society”, which is now a worldwide organization.  Zebra finches were declared “fully domesticated” in 1958.  Currently there are more than 50 colour mutations or combinations of mutations that are recognized.  Average life-span of a zebra finch is 7-8 years.

AS A PET

Sexing zebra finches is very easy as both sexes are visually different (dimorphic).  The males have a bright orange cheek patch, black barring on the chest and chestnut flanks (with white spots).  The female lacks all of these markings.  The only exception to this is the “white”.  The “white” zebra does not have these markings and the only way to sex them is by the beak colour, the male’s beak is coral red and the female’s beak is orange-red.

The principal charm of the zebra finch is its vivacity and high energy level as it is always in motion.  The zebra’s song is more amusing than it is musical, but it is not so loud that it is intrusive.  As free breeders, they will build a nest and raise young in any house cage.

CAGING

These active little birds require plenty of flying room within a cage for their physical and emotional health.  When you are looking for a cage for finches, always remember that length is more important than height.  Finches get more exercise flying horizontally than vertically.  This being said, a minimum size cage would be 19”*11”*15” high, bigger is better.  Round cages are not suitable, as they are not big enough to give the birds room to fly.  Dishes that can be serviced from outside the cage are beneficial, preventing unwanted escapes while you are feeding.  The perches that are used with zebra finches, should be 3/8” in diameter, natural branches are best.

DIET

Zebra finches are quite easy to feed.  They do well on a seed mix formulated for small finches that is mostly golden German millet, such as Feathered Friends Small Finch Mix.

Zebra finches require gravel in their diet to grind up the seed in the gizzard. Zebra finches also require a vitamin supplements, Feathered Friends Aqua-Vite and mineral supplements, such as Complete Mineral Supplement, as a seed diet alone is deficient in both.

Zebra finches will usually ignore most treat mixes that contain fatty seeds, like niger seed.  They will eat treat mixes that do contain small grass seeds and millets, such as Feathered Friends Wild Seed Treat.  Zebra finches might also eat some greens, such as broccoli, kale, spinach, carrot tops, dandelion and chickweed.  Lettuce should be avoided, as it is mostly water.  Always feed greens in small amounts and if you hang the greens in the cage, the zebra finch is more likely to try it.