Taeniopygia guttata internationalis

Fascinating New Zebra Finch Book:

The Zebra Finch

A Synthesis of Field and Laboratory Studies

written by Richard A. Zann, School of Zoology, La Trobe University, Australia

by Frank Sundgaard Nielsen, Denmark, 97-Jan-05

Zebra Finches are among the most studied birds. Scientists all over the world have been using zebra finches as subjects for laboratory research. Field biologists have also been studying the wild zebra finch in depth. Now, Richard A. Zann from La Trobe University in Australia has written a book compiling a veritable gold mine of this information about our favourite bird.

Topics covered in the book include distribution and habitat, feeding, drinking, breeding behaviour, social behaviour, vocalisations, imprinting, etc. For instance, did you know that several studies into the water requirements of zebra finches have shown that under certain conditions zebra finches can survive for many months without access to water at all (don't try this at home!). Or did you know that although wild zebra finches pair for life, DNA fingerprinting of nestlings and their parents does not always show the expected relationship (which, of course, is why we bird keepers don't recommend colony breeding when accurate breeding records are essential). Sometimes just one of the parents are related to the nestling, and sometimes zebra finches will even go as far as to drop an egg in someone else's nest. This book is fascinating information like this, non-stop.

The book is written mainly with other scientists in mind, but still in relatively easy to understand English (on some occasions, I could have used a glossary, but English is not my first language). Some behavioural aspects, such as courtship, are illustrated with expertly drawn line drawings and much of the statistical data is presented in very informative charts and maps.

If you are only interested in breeding and showing your birds for the sport of it, then you don't need this book. The information about domesticated zebra finch varieties is somewhat limited. However, if you are at all interested in the behaviour of the wild ancestor of your zebra finches then this is a great book which you should consider getting. In fact, I can only see one reason why not all people would go out and buy this book: the price.

Specifics:
Title: Zebra Finches - A Synthesis of Field and Laboratory Studies (click here for more information)
Author: Richard A. Zann
Published by Oxford University Press 1996
335 pages, hard cover
Black & white line drawings, maps and charts.
Price: £60

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