This book synthesizes current scientific knowledge of the Australian Zebra Finch, a bird popular with scientists and teachers in physiology, behavioral development, and evolutionary ecology, as well as professional and amateur ornithologists throughout the world. It builds a complete picture of the biology of this colorful species, integrating thirty years of findings from the laboratory with those from the wild, with emphasis on behavior and ecology. This new understanding of the Zebra Finch's adaptation and life history will further enhance its value to researchers and students in various fields. "Richard Zann brings together an impressive amount of information from the wild (in arid Australia) and the lab. This book has it all: zebra finches in Aboriginal creation stories, systematics, natural distribution, food eaten, behavior and physiology of drinking, abundance, social displays, breeding, parenting. . . . I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in zebra finches."-- The Quarterly Review of Biology "A comprehensive research report packed with new information, skillfully blended with a synthesis of the more important literature."-- Choice "A major summary and synthesis of current knowledge of this bird in field and laboratory. . .Recommended"-- Wildlife Activist "A first-class job of summarizing information on Zebra Finches, in the lab and in the field. These birds are remarkable in many ways, not least because they can live in confinement in a reasonable approximation of what their lives are like in the wild. That this should be true is remarkable, because wild Zebra Finches are quite specialized birds. . . . The available information on Zebra Finches is summarized in this book in a perceptive and informed way, and I highly recommend it. People who like birds will find it engrossing, as will behaviorists, ecologists, and evolutionary biologists; institutional libraries should get this book."-- The Condor The Australian Zebra Finch is widely used by researchers and teachers in many scientific disciplines where it is the preferred subject for investigations ranging from anatomy and physiology to behavioural development and evolutionary ecology. This monograph is the first to synthesize the information on this colourful species that has accumulated during the past thirty years. It summarizes and integrates much of the laboratory work and places it in the context of the biology of the animals in the wild, with an emphasis on behaviour and ecology. This leads to a detailed understanding of Zebra Finch adaptations and life history that will further enhance the value of the species for researchers and students in behaviour, ecology, and other fields. Aviculturists who keep these attractive birds will also find much of interest in this book. Richard A. Zann is at La Trobe University.