Description- Canaries can be the easiest pet birds to
have. Even the smallest apartment has room for one. They are simple to care for
and do not require much attention. Canaries are solitary in nature, so a lone
male is perfectly content by himself and will sing whether you are there or
not. It can be your only pet or part of a household menagerie. These birds are
a type of finch that is native to the Canary Islands, after which they are
named. The wild canary, which still exists, is brownish green and looks like a
sparrow. Captive bred for 500 years, the yellow mutation has long been the most
popular. Today, canaries are available in many colors and a range of sizes,
shapes, and patterns.
Cage- If you are
keeping a canary as a pet for its singing ability, just buy any cage that you
like. It must be constructed of metal and at least 18" long and 10" wide.
Canaries exercise by flying back and forth, not up and down. The best perches
are made of half-inch by half-inch, SQUARE, “baluster” board, available at any
good lumberyard. At least once a month, either replace the perch, or clean it
with hot water, bleach, and pine oil. Make sure that it is dry before you put
it back in the cage. The sandpaper that fits over the perch is not a good idea.
Most don’t fit properly and constantly slip, putting the bird off
balance.
Lights- A full-spectrum fluorescent light above the cage will
provide Vitamin D for your canary. Incandescent full-spectrum bulbs are now
available if you have space next to the cage for a lamp. If your canary is near
a window, it will enjoy the view and sunshine but make sure the area doesn’t
overheat. Birds must be able to self regulate temperature by moving in and our
of the sun. (Note: window glass will filter out Vitamin D.) Birds need 10-12
hours of rest per day, so consider a cage
cover.
Food- The “white bread” of canary nutrition is a seed mix
consisting of 70% Canary Seed and 30% Rape. Every Day the bird must get a high
protein food. Any fruit, vegetable, or green that is used for human
consumption, with the exception of avocado, can be offered to Canaries. Canned
corn, collards, kale, broccoli, cucumber, apple, carrot, and squash are just a
few favorites. Canaries should always have Cuttlebone and mineral grit.
Baths- Canaries
love to bathe, and may try to bathe in their water bowl if bathtubs are
lacking. You can use a small dish like a Tupperware container inside the cage
as a bathtub. The bottom should not be slippery. A clay plant-saucer may work.
Use room-temperature to cool-ish water; one quarter inch of water is
sufficient. Remove the tub immediately after use. Provide the bath early so the
bird is dry before bedtime.
The above information was taken from susans canaries. It's a terrific list of bird care items written for the canary owner but applies to any small bird including all finch.
have. Even the smallest apartment has room for one. They are simple to care for
and do not require much attention. Canaries are solitary in nature, so a lone
male is perfectly content by himself and will sing whether you are there or
not. It can be your only pet or part of a household menagerie. These birds are
a type of finch that is native to the Canary Islands, after which they are
named. The wild canary, which still exists, is brownish green and looks like a
sparrow. Captive bred for 500 years, the yellow mutation has long been the most
popular. Today, canaries are available in many colors and a range of sizes,
shapes, and patterns.
Cage- If you are
keeping a canary as a pet for its singing ability, just buy any cage that you
like. It must be constructed of metal and at least 18" long and 10" wide.
Canaries exercise by flying back and forth, not up and down. The best perches
are made of half-inch by half-inch, SQUARE, “baluster” board, available at any
good lumberyard. At least once a month, either replace the perch, or clean it
with hot water, bleach, and pine oil. Make sure that it is dry before you put
it back in the cage. The sandpaper that fits over the perch is not a good idea.
Most don’t fit properly and constantly slip, putting the bird off
balance.
Lights- A full-spectrum fluorescent light above the cage will
provide Vitamin D for your canary. Incandescent full-spectrum bulbs are now
available if you have space next to the cage for a lamp. If your canary is near
a window, it will enjoy the view and sunshine but make sure the area doesn’t
overheat. Birds must be able to self regulate temperature by moving in and our
of the sun. (Note: window glass will filter out Vitamin D.) Birds need 10-12
hours of rest per day, so consider a cage
cover.
Food- The “white bread” of canary nutrition is a seed mix
consisting of 70% Canary Seed and 30% Rape. Every Day the bird must get a high
protein food. Any fruit, vegetable, or green that is used for human
consumption, with the exception of avocado, can be offered to Canaries. Canned
corn, collards, kale, broccoli, cucumber, apple, carrot, and squash are just a
few favorites. Canaries should always have Cuttlebone and mineral grit.
Baths- Canaries
love to bathe, and may try to bathe in their water bowl if bathtubs are
lacking. You can use a small dish like a Tupperware container inside the cage
as a bathtub. The bottom should not be slippery. A clay plant-saucer may work.
Use room-temperature to cool-ish water; one quarter inch of water is
sufficient. Remove the tub immediately after use. Provide the bath early so the
bird is dry before bedtime.
The above information was taken from susans canaries. It's a terrific list of bird care items written for the canary owner but applies to any small bird including all finch.