No, no, not a zebra....have you tried

Posted By: the classified ads in - SM on 2007-07-23
In Reply to: I am wondering about mixing the bird with another finch species such as a zebra finch. nm - trose

BirdTalk? I would personally put an owl finch in with the Blue if you can determine that it is definitely a female (very hard to do with this species, but an experienced breeder with a mature bird could tell you), but I would only do that if you cannot find a replacement Blue. The owl finch will become the submissive one in the relationship, which is what the Blue needs.

Also, don't mix any birds until you use Clorox water to wash down your current cage, including food and water bowls, perches, everything. For any new bird you get, put two cages next to each other so the birds can get to know each other before putting them into the same cage, and even think of putting the Blue in the new bird's cage so the Blue won't have territory issues (they really mark territory).

I used to breed Blues in an open aviary with a variety of finches and they were most compatiable with the owl finches. Don't put any other African finch in with it, or any finch larger than it (which makes an owl just right if you can't find another Blue - owls are the smallest of the finches).

Here is a good species link:
http://www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/species/index.php

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Any bird lovers out there? I have a question sm - trose
- Thank you so much fo the suggestions sm - trose
  - BTW, sm - trose
- Yes, get another bird. They become very attached. - Sorry.
- So sorry about your birdie - birdlady
- lonely bird - anon
  - male Blues are much darker in coloration - than female - NM
- Definitely get a companion bird - they are very social and need company. Poor thing is lonely. nm - birdie
  - I am wondering about mixing the bird with another finch species such as a zebra finch. nm - trose
    - No, no, not a zebra....have you tried - the classified ads in - SM
    - not a Zebra - anon

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not a Zebra
I would not recommend a Zebra at all. They are too flighty and notorious for plucking one another. Their breeding instinct is in the extreme and if you have a female the Zebra would be all over her -- even if you got a female Zebra--and plucking out her feathers. The Blues I've seen have been of the opposite disposition. I would stay within the species unless you wanted to expand and do a flight cage type of thing with other types of finches, but even there I would not put in Zebras unless the other birds were hyper as well. There are only certain types of finches that Zebras get along well with. They are fantastic birds but just too hyper to go with other more sedate finches like a Blue.

Here�s to adding the zebra to the endangered species list!
Here�s to adding the zebra to the endangered species list!

I am wondering about mixing the bird with another finch species such as a zebra finch. nm
!