European

European zebra finches are domestic Taeniopygia guttata lines shaped by European aviculture and show standards, often larger and broader than the smaller Australian-type pet bird. Exhibition breeders have selected for head size, chest depth, stance, feather quality, and clean color definition, while maintaining many mutations including black breasted, black cheek, blackface, fawn, lightback, pied, white, and CFW. The name describes a husbandry and selection tradition more than a separate species; a European-type bird is still the same zebra finch that descends from Australian wild stock.

These birds are kept by pet owners, show exhibitors, and mutation breeders, but the heavier show type benefits from roomy cages and careful conditioning before breeding. Good pairs are usually chosen for complementary type as well as color genetics, and close record keeping matters if birds are sold as exhibition stock. Diet is based on fine millets and canary seed with greens, calcium, and soft food when rearing chicks. Confirm the breeder's standard, because European type, show type, and local club expectations are not always identical.

Colors: Black Breasted, Black Cheek, Blackface, Cfw, Chestnut Flanked, Cream, Fawn, Lightback, Orange Breasted, Penguin, Pied, White, Wild Type Grey