Description- Canaries and Finch 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. Many Finch are social animals and love to live in groups. It can be your only pet or part of a household menagerie. The Canary bird 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. Many of the Finch are native to Australia where you will see them flying in the wild in large groups.
Cage- If you are keeping a canary as a pet for its singing ability, just buy any cage that you like. It should be constructed of metal and at least 18" long and 10" wide. Canaries exercise by flying back and forth, not up and down. I find the best perches are made of half-inch circular dowels, available at any good large box store like Home Depot, Lowe's, even Walmart or local lumber yard should have some. At least once a month, clean it with hot water, and bleach. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with water and let it dry completely 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 or have any direct drafts on the birds. 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 if you are up late at night.
Baths- Canaries and Finch 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.
Much of the above information was taken from susans canaries along with my own knowledge gained throughout the years of breeding these beautiful little birds.. It's a terrific list of bird care items.