We bought our pair of Zebra finches only 6 weeks ago when a friend gave us a cage. We thought it would be another great way to teach our kids about the"birds and the bees".

They were building a nest already when we got them from the pet store, so we were quite concerned when they left off building after the move. Well, they didn't seem to like the closed nest I had gotten them for privacy and safety's sake. So about two weeks after replacing it with an open nest the building began again in earnest.

Maybe it's just my imagination, but my goodness what alot of fights ensued. She is such a darling perfectionist, and he is so lovingly patient, and willing.

Well, as this is their first clucth, I was so excited and then so sad, for four eggs became two. They are now incubating and if all goes well, I expect to hear peeping in the next couple of days. But whether or not they make successful parents, the thing I am so impressed with- and terribly jelous over, is just what good care he takes of her.

To watch him fight to pull a strand of millet out of the holder, with the heavy clip right into the cage, fight with it for hours, until I finally figure out what he is trying to do and remove the clip. He flies it up and weaves the whole stick right into the nest for her- I can't find the box of millet today, but when I do it will be four millet sprays he has brought her. Not to mention all the vegetable that he puts up there, so she can rest. I don't smell anything yucky yet, but I was very afraid that he was only decorating and it was all rotting, but every so often I catch them munching away up there.

I have had four children myself-including a set of twins, and I assure you, it was me that got up and took care of the Daddy, not the other way around. I truly hope all of my children are learning from this. That my daughters will expect and receive such careful paternal hovering. And that my sons will freely give their nurturing to their own nest mates come spring.

Article © Perry Family 2003