Canaries are actually a type of finch native to the Canary Islands. They have been bred in captivity and kept as pets for over 500 years. These happy, nimble little singers are one of the easiest pet birds to keep. Their small size and unconcerned nature allow them to fit into just about any pet owner’s home. A canary’s colour may range from greenish brown to bright yellow, orange or even red! It is rare to find a female canary that will sing; she instead will vocalize with a “peep-peep.” It is the male canaries who are known for their melodious voices! Ask about Petland’s singer guarantee!
One Canary, Two or More?
Canaries are solitary birds, so a lone male will do quite well on his own, singing to his heart’s content. Two male canaries, when kept in separate cages within hearing distance (but out of sight) of one another, will sing back and forth, almost in competition. Canaries can also be prompted to sing by cassette tapes or CDs made specifically for that purpose.
Molting – Your canary typically will undergo one molt per year, immediately after breeding season, which is the middle of summer to the middle of fall. During this time, your canary may not sing or be as active as he usually is.
To provide a happy, healthy atmosphere for your canary, Petland recommends the following necessary and fun accessories. We have listed them as your new canary’s four basic needs: Environmental, Nutritional, Maintenance and Behavioural. When these needs are met, along with a loving environment provided by you, your canary can live a long and happy life. Typically, a healthy canary may live between 10 and 15 years.
Your Canary’s New Home – When purchasing a cage for your canary, keep the following in mind. Unlike hookbills that can climb around their cages, canaries get their exercise by flying from perch-to-perch; therefore, your canary will require a home that is wider than it is tall. Get the largest cage that you can! A roomy home with lots of area for flying, perching and sleeping is ideal. You may want to hang his cage or place it on a cage stand, but either way, make sure the room in which he is placed is draft free, away from heat or air-conditioning vents and is not in direct sunlight; near a window is best. The optimum room temperature for most canaries is 65°F – 70°F (18°C – 21°C). A cage cover will allow your canary to get the rest he needs. Remember, that birds wake at sunrise and sleep at sunset. Your pet counsellor can show you the homes available made specifically for your canary.
Lighting – In their natural habitat, canaries will get 12 to 14 hours of bright light. Your canary will need the same in your home. Your canary will require exposure to ultraviolet light on a daily basis. Since it is not possible in our climate to have him outside on a daily basis, and placing him in front of a window only allows filtered light inside, which is ineffective; the use of a full-spectrum light is vital. UVA and UVB is necessary to prevent calcium and vitamin D3 deficiencies, which can cause a tremendous amount of health problems. As well, depriving your canary of UV light will make them colour blind. It has also been suggested that UVA light is beneficial in reducing or eliminating abnormal behaviour, such as feather damaging disorders, and phobias among just a few. An avian floor lamp and UVA/UVB bulb will be a necessary part of your canary’s basic environmental need.
Perches – Birds were not meant to stand on the same diameter of a tree branch or perch. Your canary must have a variety of perch sizes to allow his feet proper exercise. Your canary will need not only the perching that comes with your cage, but also branches, which will provide him with an uneven surface. These may be purchased or you may collect the following branches from outdoors provided they have not been sprayed: fruit trees, willow, poplar, elderberry and maple. If you do use natural branches, they will need to be replaced frequently. Situate two of the perches at the same height as the seed and water dishes, not directly over them, where fecal matter could spoil the food. The size of perching for your canary shouldn’t be too thin or too thick (3/8 to ¾ inch diameter is good). Their feet need to encircle the perch comfortably.
Food – You must give your canary a balanced diet if he is to live a long and happy life! Fresh canary seed mix should always be available. Check his seed twice daily, and don’t be fooled by the empty husks he will leave in the dish! Blow them off into the garbage, stir and top up as needed. Clean his dishes and refill them daily. Protein is a very important part of your canary’s diet (about 12%). Since canaries are mainly seed eaters and not insect eaters, their protein is found in canary grass and rape seed (both found in his canary mix); however, his diet should be supplemented with egg food. Your canary will benefit by offering him daily a cooled, mashed-up boiled egg in a separate cup. Mix it with a bit of dry, fine bread crumbs so it isn’t mushy. Remove the cup after an hour or so. A healthy mix of fruits and vegetables, shredded into pick-up-and-fly pieces should be offered daily and removed within an hour or two. Every bird has different tastes. While some canaries may love shredded carrots, others may prefer romaine lettuce. Keep trying, and give him variety. Obesity can be a problem in canaries, and for that reason “people foods,” such as mashed potatoes, peanut butter and the like should not be offered. feed all perishable foods in a separate dish, and remove it after one or two hours.
Vitamin/Mineral/Amino Acid Supplement – In the wild, a bird is free to fill all of their nutritional requirements. A good example of why vitamins must be added is the lack of vitamin A in their diet. This fat-soluble vitamin is virtually non-existent in seed, so you must offer other sources of it. While egg yolk and fresh greens are rich in vitamin A, your canary may not accept these foods, or eat enough of them. To make sure your canary is getting the vitamins his body requires, we recommend the addition of a high-quality powdered vitamin. This may be administered on top of his salad or sprinkled on his millet. A liquid vitamin may be used instead of the powdered if your canary snubs the vitaminized foods you are offering.
Treats – Packaged seed treats, egg biscuits and spray millet provide your canary with the variety he craves and the behavioural requirements he needs, such as foraging. Spray millet is an all natural treat food and is typically accepted with gusto! All canaries should be fed millet sprays as part of their weekly diet. A millet holder is handy to use and will keep the millet from becoming soiled at the bottom of the cage.
Cuttlebone – Cuttlebone is a convenient way to supply your canary with calcium, phosphorus and other minerals necessary to keep him in optimum health. Hang it in his cage, out of the way from droppings, which could soil it. Change it every two months.
Bird Bath – Most canaries will enjoy an early morning splash in a bird bath that attaches to the door of the cage. If your canary is timid about his bath, try putting in a damp lettuce leaf for him to roll around on. He’ll soon enjoy this ritual!
Cage paper is easy to remove and will not become a soppy mess like paper towel or newspaper when water is inevitably splashed onto it. To a certain extent, gravel paper can also aid in trimming your bird’s nails. We do not recommend newspaper, as the ink may get wet and your canary, grubby.
Nail Clipper and Coagulant – Your canary’s nails will grow continuously. If your canary’s perches are too thin and smooth then his nails will have no chance to wear down (see Perches; Environmental). Should this happen, nail clippers made especially for birds must be used. Take care not to over trim or cut into blood vessels running through each nail. Should this happen, have a blood coagulant waiting and ready to use. Ask your pet counsellor how to trim nails properly or phone Petland for an appointment to have them clipped.
Toys – In the wild, canaries spend much of their time flying, foraging for food, building a nest, rearing a family, defending their nest site and so on. Domesticated canaries transfer that time spent doing these life-skill necessities into things that mimic their inherent needs. If they are left to their own devices within a barren cage, they will grow bored. To alleviate this boredom, fighting (if housed with another) and picking at themselves and each other will be a natural activity to fill the void.
This is why canaries need activities available to them that encourage their natural habits, such as nest building, and foraging. There are many products available that canaries will enjoy. A pacifier toy is fashioned to encourage preening. Small rope toys with bells, beaded toys and mirrors also may be appreciated. Hanging plastic plants serve as hiding places, which will help to make your canary feel more secure.
Nests and Nesting Material – Providing a nest for your canary will be appreciated. A cozy, secure spot to hanker down for the evening will allow him to rest comfortably. Nesting material may be provided for a male and a female canary that you want to breed.
A Book About Canaries – Petland has many excellent bird books available. If your goal is breeding or just keeping your pet happy and healthy, your pet counsellor can help you select a book that will best suit your needs.
Please ask your pet counsellor what other items pertain to your canary’s needs.
*Ask about the volunteer program at your nearest Petland location.
Attention: Certain cookware, aerosols, incense, aromatic candles and household cleaners may be harmful or worse to your bird’s health. Ask a pet counsellor for a copy of the “Safety Tips & Household Hazards” tip sheet.
Cleanliness and Safety
All pets must be kept in a clean environment to avoid the spread of dirt and contaminants to yourself and others. Always keep your pet’s home clean, and wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning his home.
Please remember that all pets may bite or scratch, and may transmit diseases to humans. Young children, infants, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems and the elderly are at greater risk of infections and should use caution when in contact with pets or their homes