Communal preening
Posted: 30 Sep 2012, 12:01
hi there
I have a variety of finches in one little aviary , most being males other than 2 Zebras which are female , I find that some take a submissive stance and let the others pluck at their necks , the Ruddy is submissive to the Cordon Bleau , the Orange breasted submissive to the Ruddy , the zebra female preens the manikin male and the new zebra hen we have in there now and vice versa , some of them have NO feathers on their necks due to this comminuty "preening" is it preening or is it a form of dominance and bullying ?? :/ they all seem happy enough but I am a little worried JUST in case there may be tension in there and some arent happy.
thanks so much
I have a variety of finches in one little aviary , most being males other than 2 Zebras which are female , I find that some take a submissive stance and let the others pluck at their necks , the Ruddy is submissive to the Cordon Bleau , the Orange breasted submissive to the Ruddy , the zebra female preens the manikin male and the new zebra hen we have in there now and vice versa , some of them have NO feathers on their necks due to this comminuty "preening" is it preening or is it a form of dominance and bullying ?? :/ they all seem happy enough but I am a little worried JUST in case there may be tension in there and some arent happy.
thanks so much