Hi all,
I found these two neatly place in the grit bowl in the feed station. They are either zebs or stars. I have a stronger feeling for one over the other, but I'll let you try and identify for me.
Cheers
Ian
Zebs or Stars? (warning - photo of dead chicks)
- Shark
- ...............................
- Posts: 151
- Joined: 14 Jun 2011, 00:00
- Location: Melton Melbourne
if you open their mouths they have specific markings according to one of Russell kingston's books (or perhaps it's another author, but seen it published)
____________________/\__________________________\0/________________________
- Tiaris
- ...............................
- Posts: 3517
- Joined: 23 Apr 2011, 08:48
- Location: Coffs Harbour
I suggested Zebs due to the amount of down & young normal Stars have black bills & eyes at that stage. Stars usually just have a little white down on the head & a tiny bit on the body - Zebs have much more like the ones in the photo. Skin colour depends on mutation possibilities also. Due you have dilute/fawn/white Zebs or fawn/cinnamon Stars? Comparing the mouth markings with those in Immelman's "Australian Finches" would confirm it.
- iaos
- ...............................
- Posts: 1174
- Joined: 18 Aug 2009, 20:07
- Location: Newcastle, NSW
- Location: Newcastle, NSW
Thanks for your replies. Also in the aviary is a 3/4 coloured independent zeb cock and a pair of gouldians.
My first thought was zebs as I expect the stars chicks should be bigger than this. Also this pair of zebs has a bit of history in tossing chicks and only rearing 1 or 2.
I had a look in the mouth this morning. The markings were not exact for either stars or zebs but were closer to zebs.
Cheers Ian
My first thought was zebs as I expect the stars chicks should be bigger than this. Also this pair of zebs has a bit of history in tossing chicks and only rearing 1 or 2.
I had a look in the mouth this morning. The markings were not exact for either stars or zebs but were closer to zebs.
Cheers Ian
- iaos
- ...............................
- Posts: 1174
- Joined: 18 Aug 2009, 20:07
- Location: Newcastle, NSW
- Location: Newcastle, NSW
Yes definitely zebs as they fledged a single chick a couple of days ago and the stars eggs never hatched.
The zebs aren't really breeding like zebs. Only getting nests of 1 or 2. If they don't perform any better in the next nest they might be moving on.
Cheers Ian
The zebs aren't really breeding like zebs. Only getting nests of 1 or 2. If they don't perform any better in the next nest they might be moving on.
Cheers Ian