Owners wanted for 300 birds

ANIMAL rescuers are trying to find new homes for 300 birds after their owner became too ill to care for them.

The Scottish SPCA is looking after the flock of colourful zebra finches at its rehoming centre in Balerno on the outskirts of Edinburgh after their owner from Fife had to give them up.

All are said to be in fine health, but welfare chiefs admit they have a real task on their hands. Senior Inspector Steven Gray said: "The lady contacted us when, for health reasons, she became unable to continue her passion for her birds.

"She is an avid bird lover and has owned finches for many years. "The number of finches simply became too great for her to be able to give them the care and attention they deserve."

Insp Gray said: "This type of bird likes the company of its own species, so they are best kept at the very least in pairs, but preferably in larger groups. An ideal home for a zebra finch is in an aviary with other finches and birds for companionship.

"All of these finches are used to living in an aviary, so we'd prefer to keep them to this environment, rather than rehome them to an indoors cage, although we are open to any experienced bird owner contacting us to discuss."

The inspector went on: "Ideally, we'd like them to be rehomed in groups of ten or 20, but if there is someone out there with a very spacious aviary, or multiple aviaries, with the capability and resources to take on a larger number of birds, then we'd be delighted to hear from them.

"Equally, if someone can only take one or two, then please do give us a call."

Zebra finches are native to Australia and come in many colour forms; all of them have a distinctive zebra pattern on their tails. Anyone interested in rehoming them should contact the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.