Canary birds have long been popular pets, especially among apartment dwellers and people who want a cheerful companion. Their melodious songs brighten up the home, and their compact size means they don’t require as much space as larger birds. But is a canary bird truly a good pet for you? Here’s an in-depth look at what it takes to properly care for a domestic canary.
Space Requirements
Despite their small stature, canaries should be housed in the largest cage possible. the minimum recommendations are:
- 18 inches high
- 18 inches deep
- 14 inches wide
Bigger is always better when it comes to cages for active birds like canaries. They need ample room to flutter and hop from perch to perch. The bar spacing should be no more than 1/2 inch apart so the canary cannot squeeze through and escape.
Canaries are active and playful, so the bigger the cage the better. having a roomy cage keeps them happily occupied. Some owners let their canaries out of the cage daily to fly around the room. This gives them great exercise. Be sure to close windows and doors first so they don’t escape.
Proper Location
Place the cage in a bright room of your home but not in direct sunlight, which can overheat a tiny bird. Locate it away from drafts, air vents and windows so your canary stays warm and comfortable.
Avoid positioning the cage in high traffic areas where people and pets pass frequently. The commotion and noise will stress your canary. kitchens are tricky locations because cooking fumes and smoke are unhealthy for birds. The most ideal spot is in a quiet corner of a family room or other common living space so your canary can feel part of the household.
The Right Diet
A quality seed mix should make up 60 to 70 percent of your canary’s diet. Look for a mix formulated especially for canaries. It will contain a blend of canary grass seed, canary rape seed, flax, oats and niger thistle.
Supplement this with pellets made for small songbirds. Pellets provide the vitamins and minerals canaries needs. Slowly convert your bird to pellets by mixing them with seed.
Chopped greens and veggies should make up 10 to 15 percent of your pet’s food. Some good options are kale, broccoli and carrots. Fruit can also be offered. Favorites include apples, berries and melon.
A cuttlebone must be available at all times to provide calcium and exercise the beak. Grit helps digest food so provide a separate dish of parakeet-sized grit.
Fresh water in a tip-proof bowl should always be available. wash and refill it daily.
Sample Daily Diet
Here is a sample daily diet for a canary:
- 1-2 teaspoons quality canary seed mix
- 1 teaspoon canary pellets
- 1 teaspoon chopped kale or other veggies
- A few bites of apple or melon
- Cuttlebone
- Grit
- Fresh water
Ideal Companions
Canaries are social and do well with certain companion birds. good options include:
- Another canary (same gender works best)
- Fancy finches
- Parrotlets
Pairing two male canaries or two females usually works better than a mixed gender pair. Two males may still sing to each other but won’t breed. Female canaries can live together peacefully.
Certain finch species make good companions, like zebra finches, Gouldian finches and owls finches. Parrotlets have outgoing, playful personalities that can mesh well with canaries.
Never house canaries with parakeets, lovebirds or large parrots. These species aren’t suited for canary companionship and can injure them.
Always quarantine new birds for 30-45 days before introducing them to your canary’s cage. This prevents any contagious illnesses from spreading.
Grooming
Fortunately canaries are fastidious birds that groom themselves frequently, so you won’t need to bathe your pet. You can provide a shallow bird bath for bathing if your canary enjoys it. Limit mist baths to just a few minutes at a time.
Trim overgrown nails as needed. Have a vet or experienced bird groomer show you the proper nail clipping technique.
Your canary sheds feather dust regularly. This is normal but keep the cage bottom lined with paper towels for easy cleaning. Replace cage paper 2-3 times per week or whenever soiled.
Common Health Issues
With proper care, canaries generally remain healthy and active into their late teens. Here are some common health issues to be aware of:
- Upper respiratory infections – Caused by bacteria, mold and airborne irritants. Symptoms are discharge, wheezing, tail bobbing.
- Obesity – From an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. Appears as fat deposits on the belly and chest.
- Feather cysts – Small lumps under feathers caused by ingrown feathers. Usually harmless.
- Egg binding – Serious condition in females where an egg gets stuck. Requires emergency vet treatment.
- Mites – Microscopic parasites that irritate the skin and feathers.
Be alert for any signs of illness and consult an avian vet at the first sign of disease. Common symptoms are decreased appetite, increased sleeping, loss of vocals, disheveled feathers and sitting on the cage floor.
Lifespan
With conscientious care, an canary can live 10 to 15 years. Some may reach up to 20 years old. Diet, housing, and stress levels have the most impact on longevity.
Finding a Canary
Always purchase your canary from a reputable breeder, avian specialty store or bird rescue organization. Pet stores often sell untamed birds and their lineage may be questionable.
Young canaries can be sexed by their color. Males under one year old have solid yellow feathers. Females have speckled brown feathers at that age. Adult males and females look identical – a bright yellow with some black.
Hand raised birds make the friendliest pets if possible. However even untamed canaries will become acclimated to their new owner over time.
Costs of Canary Ownership
Here are the average costs associated with owning a pet canary:
- Purchase price: $40-$100 depending on age, gender and color mutations
- Cage: $50 and up, depending on size
- Perches, toys, food dishes: $20
- Premium seed mix: $10 per month
- Pellets: $5 per month
- Treats – $5 per month
- Grit and cuttlebone – $5 per month
- Vet costs (checkup, exams) – $75 per year minimum
The average monthly cost of food, supplies and miscellaneous items is around $25-50. Annual vet expenses can range from $75 for a healthy bird up to $200-300 if medical issues arise.
Is a Canary Right for You?
Before bringing home a canary, think carefully about whether you can make this long term commitment. Here are some key considerations:
- Can you afford the cost of the bird and supplies?
- Do you have enough time in your schedule to interact with and clean up after your bird daily?
- Is your home setup appropriate for a canary’s needs?
- Does anyone in your home have bird allergies or phobias?
- Are you prepared to find an avian vet and provide any needed medical care?
- Do you have a family member who could care for your canary if you must travel?
Who should NOT own a canary? These situations are poor fits for canary ownership:
- Families with very young, noisy children
- Homes with large, predatory pets like cats and dogs
- Owners who travel frequently
- Those without regular time for pet interaction and care
- People with busy, noisy lifestyles
The Pros of Canary Ownership
What are the best reasons to own a canary? Consider these great benefits:
- Beautiful appearance with bright yellow plumage
- Happy, chirpy song lights up any room
- Playful, active persona
- Lower maintenance than parrots and larger birds
- Compact size fits small homes
- Friendly, social when paired with other canaries or similar sized birds
- Long lifespan compared to other pets
- Lower cost than many other pet birds
The Cons of Owning Canaries
Potential drawbacks of canary ownership include:
- Need large cages and ample space
- Must buy specialized seed mixes
- Require regular vet care from an avian vet
- Prone to respiratory infections in drafts or cold
- Can be noisy with constant singing
- Secrete bird dander that can trigger allergies
- May be nippy and difficult to handle
- Not suitable pets for young children
- Live over 10 years, need lifelong commitment
Facts About Canary Care
Here are some key facts about properly caring for pet canaries:
- Need a minimum cage size of 18″ W x 18″ D x 14″ H
- Require daily cleaning of soiled cage items
- Prefer chopped greens and veggies in addition to fortified seeds
- Need constant access to cuttlebone and grit
- Require a quiet space away from direct sunlight or drafts
- Socialize best with their own kind or similar sized birds
- Need their nails trimmed if overgrown
- Spend most of daylight hours actively moving about
- Need 10-12 hours of darkness/quiet for uninterrupted sleep
- Prone to respiratory infections and obesity if not cared for properly
Conclusion
Canary birds can make delightful companions for the right owners. Their compact size and melodious song makes them perfect for apartment living. But canaries have extensive care requirements. They need roomy housing kept scrupulously clean. Owners must invest time interacting with their pet daily and provide a balanced diet.
Canaries have playful personalities and live up to 10-15 years with proper care. But they require knowledgeable owners who can identify signs of illness and provide regular vet checks. Canaries best thrive in calm, peaceful environments. Noisy homes with rambunctious kids are not ideal.
Overall, canaries can be highly rewarding pets for singles, seniors, couples and bird lovers who have the time, budget and passion to care for these active songbirds. With conscientious ownership, a hand-tamed canary can brighten up your home with years of cheery companionship.