Bird Spotlight: Canaries

The anticipation was palpable.  This evening Grandma would meet her bird for the first time.  The bird cage, toys and supplies had been carefully washed; food, and fresh millet had been purchased.

Grandma wondered aloud what her canary would look like; what to name him; would he like his new home; and how to properly care for the new bird.

It is important to be acquainted with the specific needs of the birds you care for.  The first thing we made sure was in order was Grandma’s bird cage.  Although she had a beautiful large black cage which had housed her previous bird–a parakeet–a cage with wires close together is ideal for a canary.

Unlike most species of birds, there are not any markings to distinguish between a male and female canary; however, your ears will usually allow you to tell the difference.  A male canary will typically sing throughout his life, while a female likes to sing during the first year of life, but often ceases after that.

As soon as the canary entered his new home, melodious sounds filled the air.  This was a good sign that he was happy in his new surroundings.  Grandma thought maybe a female would be good company for her new pet bird, and also was excited about the prospect of little baby canaries.

In the event that you are trying to breed canaries, it is not surprising that the holiday of love—Valentines’ Day, is the best time for these birds to breed.

Molting occurs during the warm summer months and you can expect the duration to last up to 8 weeks.  You can help your canaries adjust to this stressful time with a healthy diet including beta carotene.

A regular weekly shallow bath is a great way to keep your canary pristine and happy.  Also, make sure your cage has a place for your canaries to perch as they whistle and tweet a harmonious tune.

Canaries are content to remain inside their cage.  They are an ideal bird for grandma because of their beautiful song, color, and minimal maintenance.

And just in case you are wondering what Grandma named her bird, I am happy to report that she has settled on Bing.  Naturally, in honor of another great singer!