Ask Lafeber

Owl finch plucked by others

I have 3 owl finches (rescues), I suspect all males. Michael, Buster and GOB. Michael has always been getting a bit plucked under the beak/neck by Buster, which surprised me because I thought they were paired (they sleep next to each other and GOB usually sleeps alone. Buster recently got a respiratory infection, and I isolated him in another cage be able to give him his oral meds more easily. I thought Michael’s feathers would get better. But GOB is now plucking him more than Buster did, the skin is now conpletely visible. I’ve been wondering for a while if I should get another finch to have an even number but I’m afraid the new one would also become a bully for Michael (and i don’t really want to encourage breeders). I have isolated Michael in the past, but he seemed lonely. What would be the best way to protect Michael without him being alone?

Hi,

An odd number of birds rarely works out over time. They end up pairing off, even if they are all the same sex, and one bird gets bullied. Adding a bird should help, as long as you add another male. You might try adding a bird with Michael in a cage with just to two of them, to give them a chance to bond. Plucking isn’t always bullying. Mates will pluck each other to make a nest and just through over zealous preening. Do not give them nests or anything to use as a nest. Even with all males, it can cause hormonal fighting and aggression. Finches do like some toys – lightweight colorful toys with bells and mirrors, swings and ladders. You can hang a ladder like a swing and they will sit in the rungs. The movement of these toys mimic small foliage they might perch on in the wild. If you give them more to do, they won’t focus on each other as much.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda