queen@utkux1.utk.edu (Suzanne Queen) (08/08/90)
boubez@caip.rutgers.edu (Toufic Boubez) writes about her pair of zebra finches and says > We noticed that the female was developing a bald spot on the back of the > head. After some observation, we realised that the male was always > pecking her there. This behaviour has recently stopped, and she's > regaining the feathers on that spot. Is anybody familiar with this > behaviour? I am having a similar problem with a pair of Zebras which my daughter has, except that it is the male which is developing the bald patches. He has one on the back of his neck, one just in front of his leg, and one on his body just below the rear part of his wing. At first I thought that he was just having a bad molt, but it appears to be going on too long for that. He is still active, eating well, and except for the bald patches appears to be in good health. I haven't been able to catch her at it, but I suspect that the female is plucking his feathers. Is this a logical conclusion? I know that with the missing feathers he is more likely to feel the effects of stress, so I have been making sure that he gets vitamins and fresh vegetables. (Speaking of veggies, what are some of the ones that Zebras are likely to like? So far the only one they have taken well to is broccoli.) Is the feather picking due to sexual frustration, or is the female just a bossy bird? Should I separate them? (They have been together since they were weaned and have gotten along fine until now.) Should I add a nest box? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Suzanne ssqueen@utkvx.utk.edu queen@utkux1.utk.edu