Translated by Nick R
The zebra finch or mandarin diamond is a species of bird characterized by its fluttering habits, its particular singing similar to a beep, and how detached it is from its owners compared to other birds. If you want to know more about how to take care of it, join me.
Table of Contents
Why should you have a zebra finch?
Zebra diamonds are birds with a peculiar beauty given the variety of colors of the males. Some of the reasons why you should adopt one are the following:
- If you don’t have much time, this bird is the one for you given that they don’t need constant care except for their basic feeding and watering upkeep.
- Zebra Diamonds are not usually very noisy, especially the females who emit no song at all.
- They are ornamental birds, which means they don’t require any training or socialization, so they are excellent for brightening up space in your home.
Why shouldn’t you have a zebra finch?
The zebra finch, despite having such colorful features, is not suitable for what the majority of people would want from their pets, such as love and loyalty.
- If you are looking for a pet to train, play with, or teach to be outdoors, zebra diamonds are not the best choice due to their fears and not very affectionate character toward humans.
- Neither are they an option if you have any medical condition like asthma that doesn’t allow you to breed birds due to the dust they produce or any other allergen such as mites that may accumulate in their feces.
Characteristics and behavior of the zebra finch
The zebra finch belongs to the bird family Estrildidae, a genus of passerine birds that make up almost half of all existing birds in the world. It is believed that this little animal was introduced to Europe around 1838, extending its captive breeding until the 1990s.
| Scientific name | Taeniopygia guttata |
| Common name | Zebra finches |
| Place of Origin | Australia and other parts of Oceania |
| Habitat | Savannas and subtropical and dry climates |
| Size | 10 to 15 cm |
| Weight | 12 g |
| Average sexual and reproductive age | 2.5 to 3 months |
| Maximum life expectancy in captivity | 5 to 12 years |
Zebra finch plumage
In general, the color of zebra diamonds is gray, however, it is in their plumage where the sexual dimorphism between males and females is evident, which will not be difficult to notice.
Females
Female plumage is entirely gray, with no other distinguishing features.
Male
The male’s plumage, besides its particular gray color, has orange feathers on its cheeks and black and white patterns on its gizzard and under its beak, while its sides have brown plumage with small white dots.
Legs
Its legs are orange with no distinction between male and female.
The beak of the zebra finch
The beak of the zebra finch is pointed, similar to the canaries with the difference that it is a little wider and larger.
The sexual dimorphism of the species is also evident, since the color of the male’s beak is intensely red, while female’s is orange.
Song of the zebra finch
The singing of the zebra finch is not melodious and only the male adopts this behavior based on what he learns from his father and the sounds of the environment. It is said that each song of the zebra finch is unique, although it can be funny due to the similarity it has with the sounds of plush toys for dogs.
Zebra finch mutations
There are some genetic mutations that have led to specimens with other types of characteristics being described, here are some of the most striking ones:
- White zebra diamond: Unlike the common zebra diamond, all its plumage is white, but don’t be fooled, having another of the same color will not make their offspring the same and it is often discouraged to breed them of the same color under this belief.
- Gray zebra diamond: Although gray is one of the most predominant colors in the plumage of the zebra diamond, this specimen is entirely of this color, being more evident in females due to their sexual dimorphism.
- Tufted gray zebra diamond: They are the same color as the common zebra diamonds, with the difference that on their head the plumage is smooth, similar to a mushroom combing.
Wild and captive behavior of zebra diamonds
| Behavior in the wild | Behavior in captivity |
| – Diurnal and calm birds. – They live in flocks of 100. Only in the breeding season do they separate into flocks of 50, without losing communication between them. – They identify the members of their flock by their song, letting a few other acquaintances enter their nests. – They only travel long distances in search of food and resources. | – Contrary to their sedentary habits in the wild, as pets they flit and fly back and forth in the cage. – As it is a much more sociable bird than others given the size of its flocks, it is important to care for it in pairs or in the company of many more of its kind. – They are not friendly to human hands, so it will be difficult for them to establish the same bond of trust with their owners. |
Wild feeding
Zebra finches are herbivorous, feeding mainly on seeds and supplementing their nutrition with a variety of plants, vegetables, and insects, the latter being important for the health of their chicks once hatched.
Reproduction
Reproduction time for zebra finches is after periods of heavy rainfall at any time of the year, although when they are bred as pets it is year-round.
Some breeding tips you should keep in mind:
- Remember to fit their cage with a wooden nest and soft nest building materials such as coconut fibers, flax, and wool.
- The male and female will take care of the eggs and chicks, taking turns feeding them.
- The incubation takes 2 weeks and the fledging of the chicks takes another 3 weeks.
- They hatch approximately 4 to 7 eggs.
- In captivity they are constantly breeding, it is important that, if you plan to adopt a pair of zebra finches for breeding, you give them resting spaces, especially for the female who spends a lot of energy in this task.
Ideal space for a zebra finch
The zebra finch cage should be as large as possible. Remember to avoid rounded cages for any bird, the most suitable is always one with ample space and corners to give a sense of location to our winged pets.
The dimensions of the cage are about 45 cm high and wide by 76 cm long.
The basic equipment of the cage
Feeder
The feeder has to be located on any side of the cage, above the floor to prevent your zebra diamond’s feces from falling into it.
Drinking through
This should also be located on the side of the cage to prevent foreign elements from getting into it. I don’t recommend an open container because it can be used by your zebra diamond to bathe.
Newspaper
Place it at the base of the cage, besides being used to collect your new pet’s waste, it can also be used for the construction of its nest.
Suitable environment for a zebra diamond
Besides giving it a splendid place to live, you must take care of its habits and living conditions, which is why here are 5 tips to have the best environment for your zebra diamond.
- The cage must have its back covered, this is not necessary in case you place the cage against a wall.
- The cage should be located in a quiet place, away from strong air currents or very hot places near heaters.
- Add perches where it can perch while it flutters in the cage, I recommend that they are of different textures and alternate their location or position, stairs and swings can also help the activity of your zebra diamond.
- Try to give them some hours of sunlight, approximately 10 hours is enough, but be careful that it is not through glass or falls directly on them. In winter you can meet this requirement with special UV light lamps for birds.
- Be careful with temperatures below 15°C, on winter days and at night, try to cover the cage with a blanket to maintain these conditions.
Daily grooming and care of the zebra finch
Cleaning your zebra diamond’s cage should be an essential part of your routine as an owner since a great part of its health depends on the conditions in which you keep its space.
You must change the newspaper daily since dust or mites can be stored in their feces, which can be harmful to you and your pet.
In addition to changing the newspaper, clean the drinking and feeding bowls every day, replacing them with more water and food respectively.
Leave a container for bathing in the cage, it can be a small and not so deep one, such as a small cup in which you can place water, you can leave it twice a week or every day so that they can refresh themselves for a while.
Finally, try to do a thorough cleaning of the cage monthly with implements that are not as strong as soap and water.
Remember that cleaning periods may vary depending on the number of specimens you have!
Feeding zebra finches
Birdseed is one of the most popular foods for feeding birds with seed eating habits, however, a balanced diet will always be important to ensure that all their nutritional needs are met and to avoid health complications such as obesity.
Feed is one of the best supplements to feed your zebra finch, although it is sometimes not to the taste of many birds. You can give it on a day when it has no other feeding options such as regular seeds.
The favorite seeds of zebra diamonds are:
- Canaryseed
- Flaxseed
- Perilla
- Negrillo
Fruits
A good complement and even snack for your zebra diamond are fruits such as:
- Apples
- Grapes
- Blackberries
- Strawberry
- Pear
Always be careful with the seeds because some of them can be toxic.
Vegetables
Fresh vegetables are a good choice to supplement your zebra diamond’s diet, some of the foods I recommend for them are:
- Spinach
- Arugula
- Swiss chard
It’s important that you feed them this type of food moderately to prevent your pet from suffering from diarrhea due to the high water content in some of them.
Should I feed my zebra finch insects?
Although a zebra finch’s main diet is not insect-based, females in breeding season find it helpful to ensure a healthy chick, some of the insects they eat are termites.
As the owner, it’s not necessary for you to supply this need, since it is not a necessary habit in their daily life, although you can supplement it with other types of snacks such as eggs or the well-known cuttlefish bone, which provides important calcium for the eggs.
Prohibited foods for zebra diamonds
The one food you must never give a bird is avocado due to its high-fat content, which can lead to liver problems.
Foods such as lactose should also not be offered to your zebra diamond because its stomach is not conditioned to tolerate lactose. Also try to avoid giving it any food that you consume such as:
- Junk food: high in sugar or salt.
- Energy drinks
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
Basic health care for zebra diamonds
Prevention will always be the best health care you can give to any pet, although sometimes even the best care can lead to surprises and worries.
That is why the following chart provides some common diseases and warning signs for the quick action and proper care for your zebra diamond.
| Disease | Warning signs | Treatment |
| Coccidiosis | – Bloody diarrhea. – Tiredness and spongy wings.∙ – Difficulty in breathing. | Your veterinarian must prescribe medication for the treatment of the disease and recommend the administration of soft foods rich in protein, such as sprouted seeds. |
| Tuberculosis | – Weight loss – Diarrhea – Difficulty in breathing | Being a highly contagious disease, you must isolate your zebra finch from the others and immediately go to the veterinarian for proper treatment, because in some cases euthanasia is applied. |
| Avian pox | – Difficulty breathing with the beak closed. -Ulcers inside the beak. – Scars and lesions on non-feathered areas such as the legs. | Quick action can lead to effective treatment and prevent the spread of more birds that you breed. Insect control and treatment of secondary diseases will help maintain the well-being of your zebra finch. |
Remember that any abnormal behavior in your zebra diamond may be an alarm sign, so keep track of their habits and ensure adequate environments to keep them away from any danger to their health, the most common signs of disease are:
- Lethargy.
- Difficulty breathing or agitated breathing.
- Fluffy feathers.
- Diarrhea.
Where to get a zebra diamond?
Being an ornamental bird and consequently popular for domestic breeding, you should have no problem finding a zebra finch at your nearest pet store, their particular plumage will make them unmistakable to the eye.
However, if you should happen to find one out of the cage, living wild, don’t try to take it, as I already mentioned these birds are not very tolerant to human hands, and adopting one of them can subject it to a great deal of stress.
What you didn’t know about zebra finches
They are of scientific help
Zebra finches have been helpful in scientific and laboratory research because they are simple birds to care for, with sexual dysmorphia and rapid maturity, which facilitates year-round breeding.
Among the smallest birds bred in captivity
The domesticated zebra finch as well as some other species of captive-bred birds seem to have a significant increase in size and weight, given their favorable living conditions.
Camouflage and color vision experts
Zebra diamonds have a good ability to distinguish colors! That is why one of the best ways for them to protect themselves from predators is to camouflage their nest with materials that go unnoticed by other animals, especially birds.
Reflection
The decision to have a bird as a pet can thrill us with the idea of having a companion to play with, train and care for, but undoubtedly the zebra diamond will be an experience of selfless dedication and care, which will bring a new way of understanding such special animals.
