Ask Lafeber

Female Finch Attacking Male

I have a pair of zebra finches. They have a clutch of eggs. About 1 week after laying the female sometimes gets really aggressive to the male. She chases him around making a screeching noise. Like she protecting the nest. This will go on for a few minutes, 1 or 2 times a day. The male still sits on the eggs while the female is eating and stuff and they will both sleep on the nest together sometimes. This has been going on for about a week. Hey eggs are due to hach in a few days. I don’t want to separate them but she is getting pretty aggressive. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks

Hi Alex,

This happens with some breeding birds in captivity. As long as there isn’t any bloodshed, I wouldn’t worry about it If she is ripping out his feathers, that’s another matter. But if its just chasing and fussing, she will probably stop anyway, especially if the eggs hatch.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda