Canary

• ExerciseModerate

  Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• GroomingEasy upkeep

  Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• Living spaceStandard cage

  A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment9–15 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Respiratory issues · Obesity · Cancer

The canary is a bird to admire rather than handle — a living song best enjoyed from a little distance. Only the males sing, and they compose their elaborate melodies best when kept singly, since a lone male in his own territory sings most; two males will squabble. Give a canary a wide flight cage (they fly side to side rather than climb), placed somewhere calm and draught-free, and it will largely entertain itself. Diet is a quality seed mix supplemented with fresh greens, vegetables and occasional egg food, especially during the moult when good nutrition supports feather regrowth. Day length matters: the light cycle drives both song and moulting, so a natural, stable routine keeps a canary singing and healthy. Health watch-points include respiratory disease, particularly air-sac mites (a soft clicking or wheezing is the warning sign) and scaly leg mites, along with obesity and, in hens, egg binding. Like all birds their lungs are sensitive to non-stick fumes, aerosols and smoke. Keep the air clean, the diet varied and the cage calm, and a canary will fill a room with music for nine to fifteen years.

• How much activity does a Canary need?

  Moderate. Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• How much feather care does a Canary need?

  Easy upkeep. Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• What cage does a Canary need?

  Standard cage. A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Is a Canary a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Canary live?

  9–15 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Canary?

  Keep an eye out for Respiratory issues, Obesity, Cancer. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

Be the first to join this community!