In March of 2006 I
bought 2 pairs of Zebra Finches. The males had the distinct orange
circles on their checks almost like cockatiels. The only problem I had
was I didn't know finches were worse than rabbits!! On July 16 the last
batch of 18 eggs hatched and I ran out of cages and room. The first
thing I did was separate the males and females and in time I gave away
all the males to neighbors keeping 5 females including the original
mother.

Now 4 years later the
'kids' are starting their 5th year--I believe the mother is about 6
months older. Owning finches is like having a fish tank in the sense
you, as a rule, can't get close to them so you just watch their antics
in the cage and they are continuously flying and singing in their sweet
low voices and, even without males, the females are continuously laying
eggs. As it is said, "Female finches jobs is to lay eggs--fertile or
infertile."

(Notice in right picture
above the male in front on the left--orange circle on check--he was the
dad of the 4 remaining females that I kept and started their 5th year
this is past Friday.)

It's not easy
taking pictures of finches--they are almost always in flight but here
are a few I've managed to capture--if you can see them,  which isn't
easy.