His tail sticks up at a much sharper clownlike angle during the display. Close observation to determine sexes, no matter how acute, involves some guesswork. Some are relatively easy, but there are many in-betweens in appearance that defy detection except by behavior. Those which are distinguishable show bolder and more masculine beaks if they are males. Societies prefer nest boxes or covered wicker nests.
Incubation is thirteen days.
If Societies are to be used as foster parents, the hatching date of the fostered eggs or chicks should coincide as closely as possible with the hatching of their own eggs. Societies are devoted parents, and, if the fledging time of foster chicks should differ from their own, there will be no objection or desertion. Also, they know no nesting season and will go to nest at any time of the year. The only real problem with the Society Finch is that it is friendly and helpful to a meddlesome degree. When a Society sees another bird preparing a nest, it just naturally wants to assist.