Looking at zebra finches in the pet store gives no indication that there are more than thirty mutations of this common bird.

Looking at zebra finches in the pet store gives no indication that there are more than thirty mutations of this common bird. A normal zebra finch has a gray back, with bright orange cheek patches, beak, and legs. Black teardrops fall along the edge of the cheek patch, and a strip of white accentuates the bright beak. His chest has a small black band, then is white or cream. Brown and white spots run just beneath his folded wings, giving the zebra finch a "wild" look. His mate lacks the cheek patches.

From here, Mother Nature has taken her palette of these basic colors, and turned the zebra finch into her own private canvas. Although remaining mostly with the white/cream, black, or tan coloring, the ways in which these colors can be put together boggles the mind of many zebra finch hobbyists.

Much like budgie or cockatiel breeders, zebra breeders have been working to get more mutations. Sometimes, this means importing birds from Europe or Australia. Thankfully, there are breeders willing to do this so that many of these mutations can be available in the United States. Still, there is a myriad of mutations that those of us close to home can purchase.

Zebra finch mutations mostly come in two varieties, the light mutations and the dark. Each mutation has its own supporters and breeders, which makes it fun for the novice finch breeder. Basically, with a little research, a finch breeder wishing to delve into mutations can pick and choose.

The most basic mutation from the normal zebra is the pied bird. While a pied zebra looks mostly like a normal, it has patches of white all over its body. Generally, the belly of this bird remains white, as with most zebra mutations; however, the white shows up where it normally wouldn't, such as the back or chest.

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Quick Tips and Information for Zebra Finches

Bird Name:

Zebra Finch

Latin Name:

Taeniopygia guttata

Status:

Least Concern

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Estrildidae

Genus: Taeniopygia

Species: T. guttata

General Information:

The Zebra Finch is also known as the Chestnut-eared Finch, the Shelley, and the Spotted-sided Finch. It is common across Australia, and has become widely kept for both research and aviculture.

Physical Description:

On average, it is about 3.9 inches long and weighs close to 17 g. The Zebra Finch has black and white tear-like stripes coming down below its eyes and reddish-brown ear patches on the sides of its head. Its upperparts are grayish-brown and its flanks are chestnut colored with white spots. There are thin black and white bars on its throat and the rump is white with a barred tail. The female doesn't have the reddish-brown ear patches, the stripes on the throat, or the spotted chestnut colored flanks of the male. Juveniles are similar in appearance to the female, but have black bills instead of the orange bills found on adult males and females. The differences between the aforementioned race, T.g. castanotis, and the other, T.g. guttata, are that the latter subspecies doesn't have the fine barring of the throat and are smaller in size.

Diet:

The Zebra Finch is primarily a seedeater, but is also known to feed on fruits and insects.

Habitat:

Due to its extensive distribution, the Zebra Finch can be found in a variety of habitats. It prefers open country, including grasslands and lightly timbered areas, but also occurs on the fringes of towns and cities. It is also common near farms. T.g. castanotis ranges across Australia, with the exception of western coastal regions and the island of Tasmania. T.g. guttata exists from Lombok in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia to Sermata and the coastal areas of Australia. The Zebra Finch has also been introduced to Puerto Rico, Portugal, and the United States. Its nests are found in a variety of places, including cavities, scrubs, low trees, bushes, in termite hills, rabbit burrows, ledges of man-made structures, and even on the ground.

Reproduction:

The female lays an average clutch of 4 - 7 small white eggs. Both parents take responsibility for incubation, which lasts about 12 - 13 days. The young fledge approximately 18 - 21 days after hatching.

Tony Mandarich

Quick Tips and Information for Own Finches

Bird Name:

Owl Finch

Latin Name:

Taeniopygia bichenovii

Status:

Least Concern

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Estrildidae

Genus: Taeniopygia

Species: T. bichenovii

General Information:

The Owl Finch is also known as the Bicheno Finch, Double-bar finch, and Clown finch. It is one of the smallest grass finches and is considered highly social, appearing in flocks of 20 - 40 birds.

Physical Description:

On average, it is around 3.5 - 4 inches in length. It has a white face encircled by a think black line. A second black line crosses its lower breast. The top of its head and its back are brownish, and its wings and tail are brown-black with white spots. The Owl Finch's breast and belly are creamy/white in color. The sexes are virtually similar in appearance, although the male may stand slightly taller. Juveniles have a more brownish hue above and less distinguished markings. There is also a subspecies of this bird, almost identical except for its black rump (as opposed to the white rump of the nominate species).

Diet:

Like other finches, the Owl Finch is a seedeater. It is also known to hunt for insects.

Habitat:

The Owl Finch occurs across northern and eastern Australia. It can be found on savannahs, tropical (lowland) grasslands, shrublands, open woodlands, and along the forest edge. The Owl Finch is also known to venture into gardens, sugarcane fields, and other cultivated areas. It builds its nest in grass, bushes, or low trees.

Reproduction:

In eastern Australia, breeding season is mainly during spring and autumn. In northern Australia, breeding occurs during the second half of the rainy season, but may happen later. Males typically sing during the breeding season. An average clutch size is generally 3 - 6 eggs, with 4 -5 being most common. Incubation lasts about 12 days, and hatchlings fledge at about 22 - 26 days of age. The Owl Finch is known to hybridize with a number of other finches, including the Zebra Finch, Long-tailed Grass Finch, Yellow-rumped Finch, and Masked Finch.

Tony Mandarich