Hi -
I must share this funny story with you so others can read it to and get a chuckle. I never knew finches of different species would care for each other - so here is what is going on in my aviary currently:

I have an aviary in my house that houses various finch species to include a pair of (very) active breeding zebra finches; 2 male strawberry finches and other species of finches. The zebra finches love to breed for those who are familiar with this type of finch. I will have to separate the female soon for a much-needed break. However, she is currently getting help from 2 males, one is her zebra finch partner and the other is one of my male Strawberry finches. Yes folks you heard right. I make it a good habit to take some time to observe my birds everyday and this is what I witnessed: I saw that the male strawberry finch would make his way to the zebra nest to sit on the eggs. He is allowed to stay until the male zebra says it's time to go. I thought the little strawberry just wanted to sleep in the nest, so I placed another nest in the aviary. He ignored that nest and continued to lie on the eggs.

Well the eggs hatched out and I noticed that the strawberry finch would sit on the hatchlings whenever the parents were out of the nest. I made sure he wasn't pecking at them or harming them in anyway. Well, the chicks got bigger and was at the age where they would holler loudly for their meals. I would see that the strawberry male would still fly into the nest. Knowing there wasn't enough room for him to sleep in there, what was he up to? Is he acting as a surrogate parent? Well low and behold, I heard so much racket one day, I look in the cage and there were the fledglings on the bottom begging food from the strawberry finch. If I didn't see this for myself, I would have never believe it. There he was regurgitating food into the mouths of these fledglings. The strawberry male was so much smaller then these chicks and it was something to see how brave he was putting his beak (or shall I said whole head) in their mouths!!

The chicks have now all grown up and placed in their new homes. I noted however that the little male strawberry finch is now helping the zebra parents get ready for their next brood. He is diligently helping them build their nest, gathering what material he can in his little beak and placing it neatly in the nest. I must admit that I am truly amazed at this behavior, not only does he want to help, but is allowed to help by the zebra parents!

Article © Louann 2003