There are many types of goldfinch in the world, but one of the most common types of ornamental birds from this family is the zebra, and this type of ornamental bird is strong, has the ability to endure and is relatively
easy to care for, and the zebra is an excellent choice for those who raise ornamental birds for the first time, Zebra birds are usually kept in pairs and entertain themselves without much interaction with
their owners, and this type is a good choice if you do not have much time to spend with your pet bird, and other birds of the goldfinch family may have more bright colors, but zebra birds are most popular.
Character and behavior of zebra birds
Zebras are active little birds and fun to watch, and although they are small, zebras need a large cage to fly, all goldfinches are social and should be kept in pairs, male and female pairs usually
reproduce quite easily, so you might want to consider In keeping females only, and some people recommend keeping them either in pairs or in groups larger than six, and if you keep more than one pair, you will need a larger cage such as a flight cage.
Although zebras are social with each other, they do not bond strongly with people, and they may become tame, but they do not enjoy direct treatment, and with a
lot of training, you may get them to stand on your hand, and when it comes to sound, zebras issue quiet tweets The peep is easy to tolerate, and these types should be suitable for apartments or shared housing.
Colors and signs of zebra birds
Zebra birds are attractive birds, and they are bisexual, which means that you can distinguish the sexes by looking at them, and the males have black and white stripes on the throat and chest, and orange cheek
spots, and the sides of the body tend to be brown, and the females are gray in those spots, and I have Both males and females have orange-red beaks, although the male's beak is brighter in colour, and captive zebras have a variety of color mutations.
Zebra care
When keeping zebras, the height of the cage is not as vital as having room to fly laterally, so a tall cage is not necessarily but a short one is acceptable, and it's a good idea to get the largest cage you can, and a
good size cage for a pair of zebras is 30 inches long by 18 inches high by 18 inches wide 18 inches, and if you are going to have a larger group of birds, you will need a flight cage, and the wire spacing should be 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch.
Supply a variety of stands, but make sure the cage is not so crowded that the zebras can't fly back and forth, and for perches, you can use a couple of stakes of different sizes, or
add some natural branches, and maybe lean them over to provide variety, so they don't stick to their feet Always on sticks in the exact same way, and you can
provide swings and ladders, although you are more likely to use ladders as perches rather than as climbers.
Consider placing small bells or hanging toys although zebras are generally not interested in toys.
Put the cage of zebra birds in a quiet and safe place in your home, unlike parrots, where zebra birds do not crave social interaction with people, and therefore they will be less stressed if they are moved away
from the center of activity, and zebra birds tolerate some temperatures but avoid placing them in direct sunlight or open areas near air conditioning or
heat ducts, and in warmer climates, you can acclimatize zebra birds to an outdoor cage, offering a shallow dish of fresh water several times a week for bathing.
Zebra birds and diet
In the wild, most zebras feed on seeds from plants, grasses, pine nuts, and berries. Some zebras chew on fruit to get to the seeds, leaving the rest of the fruit behind.
To mimic their foraging instinct, place food dishes on the floor (not under the perch), or you can hang their feeder next to the cage. .
Feed zebra birds 1 to 2 teaspoons of a high quality goldfinch seed mix each day, check to make sure the brand you are getting is fresh by scattering the seeds
(put some in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel), if the seeds do not germinate, the seeds are older than to feed on, and the seeds have a high nutritional quotient when they germinate.
Provide a variety of greens, including romaine lettuce, endive greens, kale, and spinach (in moderation), along with a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits. Give zebras a tablespoon of this salad or mix of
chopped fruit or vegetables.
Never give avocados, as they are toxic. For most birds, experiment to find what they like and keep offering a variety, and it can take some time for zebra finches to accept new food items.
Offer 1 teaspoon of sweetened food daily. Pellets are a compound feed source, which is good to offer as part of a varied and balanced diet. Be diligent in accepting zebras from food pellets. Other supplements you can offer twice a week include eggs or a commercially prepared food supplement.
This is great for all birds and essential for breeding birds, provide cuttlefish bone as a calcium supplement, birds use it to trim their beaks, gravel is no longer supported as a supplement for
zebra birds but, if you do give it, provide a few pellets at a time and very rarely, and for a treat, scatter pellets Millet is a big favorite of zebra birds and offer it occasionally, provide fresh drinking water daily, and clean all the food dishes you need at the end of the day.