What should I look for when buying a canary?

Try to get your canary from a breeder or pet shop that values cleanliness. Do not buy birds that are puffed up, have half-closed eyes, sit on the bottom of the cage, look sleepy, are poorly feathered or have dirty vents.

If you are buying canaries to breed, make sure the birds are not related and, for the healthiest offspring, make sure your bird's parents were not related to one another. It is quite common for people to inbreed canaries to achieve certain colors, body type, or certain sounding songs. This is especially true among breeders who show their birds. While inbreeding may produce a pretty looking or sounding bird, it also creates a bird that may be more susceptible to illness and serious genetic disorders. Avoid buying inbred birds, no matter how nice they look or sing.

Canaries grow new feathers once a year. The molt can be a stressful time for canaries, especially older ones. Some birds appear ill, fluffing up and becoming lethargic. These canaries are not sick, but they do need rest and should not have to go through the added stress of adjusting to a new home while molting. Other canaries seem to be affected very little by the molt and remain alert and active, and this holds true for most of my young birds experiencing their baby molt. I have sold many alert and active molting youngsters without any problems, but do not advise the sale or purchase of any birds acting sickly during the molt.

I just bought a canary; what do I do now?

Preferably you will have set up your canary's cage prior to purchase. If you haven't, keep your new pet in its travel carrier until you get its cage set up. Make sure to put food, water, a mineral block and/or a cuttlebone in the cage.

Put your canary in its new cage and keep it in a quiet room for at least 24 hours. If you have other birds, you will want to keep your new pet separated from them for six weeks to make sure he doesn't catch any illnesses from them and they don't catch anything from him. It is a good idea to quarantine all newly purchased birds, regardless of who you've bought them from or how healthy they look.

After your bird has gone through the quarantine period, find a nice spot in your house to keep his cage. Birds like to be as high up as possible. If you want to keep your pet's cage in front of a window, consider purchasing a Window Insulation Kit (available at most hardware stores) and sealing the window from drafts. Many people believe canaries are very sensitive to drafts and may become ill if exposed to them. Do not place your bird's cage near a heat or air conditioning vent.

Keeping your pet in front of a window does not provide the same beneficial effects as direct sunshine. Most windows block UV rays, so make sure your canary occasionally gets some direct sunshine when the weather is warm and the wind is calm. However, be careful not to expose your bird to extreme temperature changes. If you have the air conditioning on in your house and your canary is used to the set temperature, you do not want to put the bird outside in the sun and cause a shock to its system. Also, never leave your canary unattended or in direct sunshine for any length of time, as the bird may quickly overheat.

During winter, you can provide your new pet with the benefits of sunshine by exposing it to full spectrum avian lights.

What should I feed my canary?

A high quality canary seed mix is essential. A cuttlebone should be in your bird's cage at all times. My birds like a mineral block supplement called Manu as well. Your new pet will also enjoy fruit, vegetables and greens on a regular basis. Canaries often will not try a new food right away. Offer your pet a new food several times in a row and your canary will likely try it. Special molting food or vitamin supplements, such as Moulting Aid, will help your bird through the molt and may lessen the chances of it developing feather cysts.

There are foods, plants and other items that are poisonous to canaries. Click here to learn about things that are poisonous to canaries.

Can I keep two or more canaries together?

Many people keep two or more female canaries together with no trouble. A male and female might get along okay if caged together, however the male may chase the female during breeding season. If this occurs, the birds should be separated. Some people believe a male canary will not sing as much if housed with a female, but I have not found this to be true in regards to Russian canaries. My Russian males continue to sing robustly when caged with females. 

Male canaries will most likely fight if kept together, however I have successfully kept males together in large flights. The trick is to add all the male canaries to the flight cage at the same time. If a male canary has been in the flight before the others, he may act territorial toward the "invaders."

Occasional, small harmless squabbles are normal when canaries are housed together. However, if any of your canaries really fight, regardless of gender, you will have to separate them.

Can I play with my canary?

Canaries are not birds that like to be handled or played with. They are hands-off birds that are generally kept for their beauty, entertaining behavior and delightful song.

What kind of upkeep do canaries require?

Your canary will need to have its nails clipped several times a year. Hold the nail up to a light and you will see a vein running through the nail. Clip the overgrown area of the nail that does not contain the vein. Always have Quick Stop on hand in case you do accidently cut the vein. If you are worried about clipping your bird's nails, take it to a vet and have them do it instead.

Your canary should also be treated for mites in the spring and in the fall. Just as dogs are prone to fleas, canaries are prone to mites. There have been reports of canaries housed alone coming down with mites years after the pet was purchased. It is thought that mites can come in on toys, bird seed, and other items you bring home from pet shops. Researchers also believe that some canaries can keep mites in check, but that mites can rapidly multiply out of control if the canary becomes ill or when it molts.

Cages should be completely disinfected several times a year. Bleach works well, but make sure all fumes have dissipated before returning your pet to its quarters. Seed cups and water containers should be disinfected on a regular basis. Toys will need to be disinfected or replaced every now and then as well.

A canary is a charming pet that will happily entertain you with its pleasing song. Take good care of your bird and you will more than likely be able to enjoy it for many years to come.