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Animal
Behavior
The
zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) breeds
primarily in colonies in the open bush habitats
of Australia. Domesticated zebra finches are
popular cage birds in the US and are bred widely
throughout the country. A small colony of domesticated
zebra finches is housed in the aviary of the
Watson Life Sciences Animal Facility. Conditions
in the aviary provide a “naturalistic” setting
for observing the social behavior of this species
and provide a variety of options for research
projects that explore the social relationships
of members of the colony, including male/female
relationships and parent/offspring relationships.
Recent studies have examined:
- The
effect of leg band coloration on mate choice
and reproductive success
- Male
courtship behavior and its affect on the male’s
reproductive success
- Changes
in levels of aggression across the breeding
cycle
- Nest
location preferences
- Nesting
material preferences
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