Young Male Learning Song

[Benniee]

Hi Everyone,

I've noticed something interesting with a young male Zeb I have in my aviary at the moment. He fledged from a nest of 4, and soon began to hang out with a large group of young Gouldians I have in there also. The young male Goulds have been doing their usual song-fest, all listening to each other. Now that the young zeb is starting to reach maturity his call is very much like that of a Gouldian, although with a Zeb "flavour" to it. The parent birds are all in the same aviary so he's hasn't been removed or isolated from them - he just seems to have chosen to socialise more with the Goulds.

I know that Zebs are often studied with regard to how they learn and produce their own unique songs - but I haven't noticed this sort of behaviour in my Zebs before this bird.

Has anyone else seen this type of thing in a mixed aviary?

I'm not concerned about it, and I'll keep my eye(ear) on him as he continues to mature over the coming month or so.

Benniee