Taeniopygia guttata
Zebra Finch
Zebra finches are lively, low-cost aviary birds best enjoyed as an active flock rather than a handled pet. Their constant chatter and breeding behaviour make them fascinating to watch.
EstrildidaeLifespan 5–10 yearsCare complexity 2/5Suitable for beginners
At a glance
- Scientific name
- Taeniopygia guttata
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Origin
- Arid grasslands of central Australia
- Lifespan
- 5–10 years
- Adult size
- 10 cm
- Weight
- 10–15 g
- Temperament
- Busy, social and generally not tame to the hand
- Activity level
- High within the aviary or cage
- Social needs
- Very high; must be kept in pairs or small flocks
- Intelligence
- Complex song learning and strong pair-bonding behaviour
- Noise
- Soft, near-constant chirping; rarely a problem for neighbours
Housing and environment
- Housing
- Long flight cage at least 90 cm wide, or an outdoor aviary in mild climates
- Space requirement
- Horizontal flight space matters more than height
- Temperature
- 18–25°C; hardy but dislikes draughts and sudden cold
- Humidity
- 40–60%
- Exercise
- Flight within a long flight cage or aviary
- Grooming
- Self-preening; provide shallow bathing dishes
Diet and feeding
Finch seed mix, sprouted seed, egg food and leafy greens
Behaviour and compatibility
Singing, nest-building, flocking and constant soft chatter
- With children
- Best as a family aviary to observe rather than handle
- With other animals
- Not compatible with cats, dogs or larger birds
- Training difficulty
- Not typically hand-tamed; training is limited to routine acceptance
Health
- Air sac mites
- Egg binding
- Obesity from seed-only diets
- Scaly leg mites
- Sudden death from overcrowded stress
Find an avian vet before problems arise; finches mask illness until critical
Special care requirements
Never keep a single finch alone; isolation causes serious stress