Ask Lafeber

Should I add a new Zebra finch in order to have an even number

Hello, I have 3 males Zebra finches in my small aviary. Two seem to have formed a bounded pair and seem very happy together, leaving the 3rd one quite lonely. They used to include him in their grooming, but since the breeding season started, the pair stopped accepting the third one. I feel bad for the little guy and wondered if I should introduce a new bird (obviously a male, a female would trigger much fighting). However, I don’t know if it would help, or make the situation worse by adding fighting… any advices welcomed!

Hi Melanie,

You should either add another male, or separate the solo male to a different cage. Odd numbers rarely work with birds, even when they are the same sex. As you have found out, two end up pairing off and they will even behave as a male/female pair. They are likely to get territorial and start to pick on the single bird. If the aviary is large enough, then a 4^th bird will likely restore balance. There is a chance the single bird will not like the new bird, but this is the chance you take any time you add a mate or companion. Make sure there are food & water stations on opposite ends of the aviary, so that one pair can’t claim it and prevent the others from accessing food and water. It’s also best to not give them nests. They don’t need them since they can’t breed. They do not sleep in nests in the wild. Nests are likely to cause fighting and territorial behavior.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda