::: ALCON :::

ZEBRA FINCH

The Zebra Finch, Poephila (Taeniopygia) guttata, presents an enviable mixture of colors and is easy to adapt and maintenance becomes the most popular of the finch family. It’s belong to the Estrildinae Family, as well as others finches or diamonds (Gouldian, Society, etc.) Their natural distributions occur in Australia and also in the islands from the Indonesia, near to Bali.

Cheer up and docile, the Zebra is quite appropriate for who wants to start to keep birds, for being more illnesses resistant that other species. Despite of that, the Zebra Mandarins can be come stressed in overcrowding cages, in absence of space to fly or in the absence of material to the nest. Because of that they can pull out its feathers.

These pretty and small birds can live up to 15 years, reaching 9 cm of length and they should be maintained in pairs or in groups. They are not birds to be fondled or caressed, having the observation be the predominant activity for those who intend to have.

Reproduction:
The males possess an intense red-orange color in the legs and in the beak. They present differ coloring on the “cheeks”, being orange the most common color. They possess white and black strips in the chest, what confers to them the name Zebra Finch. In the females, the color of the beak and the legs is clearer and they do not present colored “cheeks” or black strips in the chest. The Zebra finches are good parents, they not abandon the nest and they defend its chicks even when they leave the nest earlier and still can’t eat alone.

After 11 to 12 weeks of life the females already can reproduce, however the mating before the 6 months of age is not advisable. The male build the nest using small pieces of twine grass, vegetal fibers and some feathers felt in the birdcage bottom. Females can lay from 3 to 8 eggs that they will open after 14 days. The parents alternated the hatch job. After 21 days the clutches are ready to leave the nest and with 4 weeks of age they are able to feed alone.

Maintenance:
For the maintenance of the Zebra Finch, as well as for others finches, is recommended a longer than necessarily high birdcage is recommended, with at least 45 cm of length for 30 cm of width and 30 cm of height. The wooden nest can have 15 cm of height and 11 cm for the sides. Dry straw, vegetal fiber or twine is good material for nest confection. A food and water bowl always clean is very important. Avoid putting the birdcage in moisture or without ventilation places. Sunbathing is important too and let the birds be in perfect form and colors, however do not forget them in the sun therefore, as well as the humans, they feel hot very quickly. They love to take bath so, because of that, a bowl with water is a good thing to put in birdcage.

Feed:
alcon Club Pássaros Exóticos (alcon Club Exotic Birds), alcon Club Farinhada – Pássaros Frugívoros e Insetívoros (alcon Club Fruit and Insect Food), alcon Club Farinhada com Ovo para Canários (alcon Club Egg Food for Canaries), alcon Club Papa para Filhotes - Pássaros.