Among spice finches, expect mates to sit close together, preen each other's plummage and roost together at night. To ensure that pairs actually consist of a compatible male and female, acquire a group of spice finches, and let the birds select their own mates. The female responds by quivering her tail, an invitation to mate. As eggs are laid and incubation begins, one partner is often seen alone during the day, usually at a distance from the nest. At night, both birds sleep together in the nest.
Parents share nest-building, incubation and brooding duties.
After eggs hatch, both parents make numerous trips back and forth to the nest, carrying food for their offspring. Throughout this process, successful parents generally perform in a steady, consistent manner. Observe your breeding birds carefully. Then you can compare future performances, knowing quickly which nesting attempts are apt to succeed and which may require intervention.