Information About Zebra Finches

One of the most popular species of pet bird is the zebra finch. They are considered one of the easiest pet bird species to take care of because of their robust health. Originally found in central Australia and the island of Timor-Leste, they are now bred avidly in North America, South America, Europe and the Pacific basin.

  1. Types

    • Adult zebra finches come in three main types: the Australian (Taeniopygia guttata castanotis), the Timor (Taeniopygia guttata guttata) and a hybrid between the two. When people talk about zebra finches, they tend to refer to the Australian, the first type to be domesticated. Timor zebra finches are easily stressed and do not do as well as Australians in captivity. According to eFinch.com, zebra finch hybrids are fertile.

    Size

    • The Australian is the largest zebra finch type at 3.94 inches (10 centimeters) long and 0.7 ounces (20 grams). The Timor is much smaller, only weighing half as much as the Australian. The hybrids vary in weight and length, but are usually smaller and lighter than an Australian. Unlike some other species of birds, male and female zebra finches grow to the same size.

    Food

    • Zebra finches are seed eaters, although they will sometimes eat small insects. Sometimes it may seem as if zebra finches are eating fruits and vegetables, when they are actually eating the seeds, although they will eat some of the connecting flesh. Commercial seed mixes often contain millet, which zebra finches enjoy. Zebra finch breeder Myra Markley recommends feeding chopped-up hard-boiled chicken egg with the shell.

    Reproduction

    • Zebra finches are ready to breed when they are between six to eight months old. Males make the nest in the wild, but nest have to be provided in captivity. Males and females take turns incubating the white or pale blue eggs and raising the young. The female lays one egg every day for three to seven days. About 13 days after the eggs are lain, they hatch.

    Fun Fact

    • According to a 2008 study at the University of Chicago by Sylvan Shank, Ph.D. and Professor Daniel Margoliash, male zebra finches dream. When young male finches dream, the same parts of the brain fires that are used for singing. It is theorized that young zebra finches listen to male birds singing, then dream about the songs and finally sing when they reach puberty.