Hybrid?

[malibu_birdie]

Sorry if this is not the correct area to post this but was not sure where else it could go...

I have 2 bengalese finches. I have no idea if they are male or female as I have not taken the time to separate them into little cages to find out if they sing. They decided to nest in an aviary with zebbies. They hatched this chick. Can anyone tell me if it is a zeb or a hybrid? There was a pied fawn male zeb in the cage at the time the eggs where laid so...?

Finchy.jpg

finchy1.jpg

[iaos]

If its a hybrid it is more zeb than bengo... But that doesn't answer your question. The white chin/throat does look kinda bengo like.

[finchbreeder]

Were there Zebra hens in the avairy that could have laid in the nest? Then had the chick raised by Bengos? Cause it looks pretty Zeb to me and a pied Zeb could easily have a white spot under the chin.
LML

[Jayburd]

looks like a normal zebbie to me....

[matcho]

Is a hybrid between these two even possible? Given that they are members of the "Estrildid" family/genus or whatever one is a Lonchura and the other is a Peophila. Seems to me that if it was possible it would have been done ages ago given how the bengo was "supposedly" man made through cross breeding of a couple of the munia species and the poor old Zeb has been bred in captivity for "ages" with them both being used as fosters. I think its like saying we as humans (primates/greater apes) can hybridize with gorillas/orangutans or chimps. The mind boggles.

[Jayburd]

I've seen bengo saint helena crosses, and plumhead-double bar crosses...
lonchura is in estrildidae isn't it?

[iaos]

The 'bible' aka the finch a breeders companion, suggests that zebs can hybridise with indian silver bills, chestnut breasteds, bengos, black headeds, javas and tri-colours.

[matcho]

Yes they are, but my observation is this......why hasn't it been done before given the history of the zeb and the bengo. Wow, a bengo and a St Helena? (One a munia/lonchura and the other a waxbill), must have been interesting in the feeding of the young, one of the pair would have liked seed the other insects. Sure it wasn't a Silverbill? Both are lonchura/munias. I don't disbelieve it, but just seems right out there. On the other hand I have seen a few people I am sure are crossed with other members of the primate family. Gotta love those rangas! (No offence intended to any of our redheaded members)

[matcho]

The 'bible' aka the finch a breeders companion, suggests that zebs can hybridise with indian silver bills, chestnut breasteds, bengos, black headeds, javas and tri-colours.

Zebs and Javas?

Anyone seen or heard of one? I'd like to see a cock Zeb trying to mate a Java hen. Like a mini foxie to a great dane... possible...but they are both dogs.

[Jayburd]

Hey matcho,
I remember reading about it years ago, but I agree it would be a strange chick hatched...
Just found an article in the bird keeper detailing Ruddies cross stars!!