Zebra Finch, Chesnut Flanked Finch

Description: In the normal form of the Zebra finch the head, nape and back are gray. The wings are dark gray to fawn-gray while the tail is barred with black and white. Both sexes also have brown eyes, black tear drops below the mid-eye, white bellys and orange legs. On males there are chestnut cheek patches, black and white zebra stripes on the chin, neck and upper chest with a solid black band meeting the belly. The male also has chesnut flanks with many white spots and a red-orange beak. The hens are rather dull lacking the chestnut cheek patches, chestnut flanks, zebra striped breast & bright red-orange beak.

Size: These birds average about 4 inches (10cm). Some of the English and German varities can be larger.

Origin: Zebra Finches are distributed over much of Australia, Tasmania and Flores Islands (northwest of Australia).

Mutations/Sub-species: There are domesticated mutations in many parts of the world including the USA. Some of the more common mutations include: Fawn, Pied, Saddleback, Penguin, White, CFW (Chesnutt Flanked White), Florida Fancy, Creasted, Yellow-beaked, Dominant Silver, Recessive Silver, Dominant Cream and Recessive Cream. Newer mutations include: Lightback, Orange Breasted, Black Breasted, Black Face, Black Cheek and Fawn Cheek. . Many mutations are combined to create further mutations such as Phaeo (Florida Fancy x Black Breasted). Certain mutations such as George, Eumo, Agate, Charcoal, Slate, Blackfront or Grizzle only exsist in Australia and Europe. There is a sub-species refered to as Timor Zebras (Taeniopygia guttata guttata) which are smaller than normal Zebras and lack the zebra striping. Below are photos of mutations that I keep. To see photos of newer mutations click the buttons below. The first button will take you to E finch created by Roy Beckham. The second will take you to Garrie Landry's Acadiana Aviaries.