Canary: Bird Species Characteristics and Care

The canary is an undemanding and charming small finch, perfect for beginners. With its pleasant demeanor and melodious song, it often turns people into lifelong enthusiasts. These birds have been selectively bred to come in a variety of colors, sizes, and singing varieties, making them unique companions. Canaries are also affordable and commonly found in pet stores.

Origin and History

Wild canaries are small finches native to the Macaronesian islands, including the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. Bred in captivity since the 17th century, they arrived in Europe via Spanish sailors after the conquest of these islands. Today, pet store canaries are genetically distinct from their wild ancestors.

Canaries can interbreed with other finch species, resulting in unique hybrids. For example, red canaries emerged from breeding domestic canaries with red siskins, a South American finch.

Temperament

Canaries enjoy being around people, though they don’t appreciate heavy handling like budgies and parrots. They are intelligent birds, with many owners training them to perch on a hand or fly around a room. Young birds are easier to train, though patience and consistency allow most canaries to be tamed and trained.

Canaries are relatively solitary and won’t become lonely if housed alone. They can coexist in an aviary with other small birds. However, it’s not advisable to house two male canaries together as they are likely to fight.

Speech and Vocalizations

The song canary, particularly the male, is popular for its singing. Notable types include the Waterslager, German Roller, Russian Singer, Spanish Timbrado, and American Singer. Female canaries primarily chirp, while males develop elaborate songs. During the molting period, canaries typically do not sing.

Canary Colors and Markings

Wild canaries have a greenish-yellow body and yellow underparts. Selective breeding has resulted in domestic canaries displaying an array of bright colors, such as orange, white, red, and yellow, with yellow being the most common.

Caring for the Canary

A single canary requires a cage at least 20 inches wide and 24 inches long. These birds enjoy flying, so a cage longer than it is wide is ideal. Never clip a canary’s wings; flying is vital for their exercise. Cage bars should be no more than 1/2 inch apart to prevent the canary from getting its head stuck. Wire cages are easier to clean than wooden ones.

Wood perches of varying diameters (3/8 to 3/4 inch) should be positioned in the cage for the canary to rest and exercise its feet. Carve notches into the perches to create an uneven surface for better grip. A variety of perch diameters keeps the bird’s feet limber. Avoid using sandpaper perch covers as they can damage the canary’s feet.

Canaries are hardy and can live at room temperature, but keep their cage away from drafts, air conditioners, and direct sunlight, as they can overheat. A canary with an open mouth and wings held away from its body is overheated. A puffed-up canary may be too cold.

Provide a shallow dish of water or a pet store bath at least three to four times a week for the canary to bathe or splash around.

Cover the cage at night to ensure canaries receive adequate rest. A natural light/dark cycle is best for them, as keeping them up with artificial light can cause stress.

Common Health Problems

Health problems in canaries often stem from poor diet, dirty cages, or drafts. Sick birds can lose weight and succumb quickly, so seek avian veterinary help if symptoms like baldness, scaly legs, diarrhea, constipation, or lethargy appear. Canaries are sensitive to air quality; avoid exposing them to smoke or fumes from cooking or solvents.

Canaries are prone to infections caused by certain viruses, fungi, and bacteria. They can develop treatable bacterial infections such as avian gastric yeast infection, candidiasis, and chlamydia. Other infections like bumblefoot cause swelling and lesions, while mycoplasma, which is treatable, leads to eye and nasal discharge. Conversely, tuberculosis is a non-treatable and fatal respiratory condition.

Lethal viruses for canaries include avian pox and polyomavirus. Aspergillus, a typically fatal fungal infection, may respond to antifungal treatment in some instances.

Diet and Nutrition

In their natural habitat, canaries forage primarily for seeds, occasionally eating insects.

Provide domestic canaries with high-quality seed mixtures (vitamin-coated) specifically designed for them. Remove the seed hulls daily to ensure easy food access. Offer pellet food as an additional option, although seeds are generally more palatable. Keep dishes of both pellets and seeds in the cage.

Supplement your canary’s diet daily with vegetable greens like kale, broccoli, dandelions, spinach, celery, peas, and watercress. Offer small amounts of fruits such as apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, or melons. Provide hard-boiled egg pieces as a protein supplement.

Ensure your canary has access to fresh water at all times.

Exercise

Canaries require space to move. Keep the cage uncluttered to allow movement between perches. Unlike parrots, canaries need minimal enrichment, with items like a toy, mirror, or branch sufficing. Bathing also provides exercise. Occasionally, offer swings, bells, or hanging toys as treats.

Once accustomed to you, allow the canary daily time to fly around the room, needing about an hour. Supervise this time, ensuring windows are closed, ceiling fans are off, and other pets are absent.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Canary

Most pet stores sell canaries, but for unique varieties, you may need a breeder. Rescue organizations and adoption societies occasionally have canaries available, though this is rare. Canaries range from $25 to $200, varying by the type. Online resources include Adopt a Pet, Petfinder, and Bird Breeders.

If choosing a breeder, ensure they’re reputable by inquiring about their experience with canaries and requesting a tour of their facility. Signs of a bad breeder.

More Pet Bird Species and Further Research

Explore similar species if interested:

• Zebra Finch Species Profile
• Gouldian Finch Species Profile

Otherwise, explore more small pet bird species.