Canaries

Facts

The Domestic Canary (Serinus canaria domestica) is a domesticated form of the wild Canary, a small songbird in the finch family originating from Madeira, the Azores and the Canary Islands.

Canaries were first bred in captivity in the 1600s. They were brought over by Spanish sailors to Europe. Monks started breeding them and only sold the males (which sing). This kept the birds in short supply and drove the price up. Eventually Italians obtained hens and were able to breed the birds themselves. This made them very popular and resulted in many breeds arising and the birds being bred all over Europe.

The same occurred in England. First the birds were only owned by the rich but eventually the local citizens started to breed them and, again, they became very popular. Many breeds arose through selective breeding, and they are still very popular today for their voice.

They come in many colours, such as yellow, orange, brown, black, white, and red. 1 in 65 wild canaries is naturally red. The redder the canary the more valuable it is, with the Red-Factor being the most valuable. 

These little birds are ideal for small living quarters and do very well in captivity. Though primarily a cage bird, they make excellent pets for beginners and do not harm children. They are very hardy, docile, and have low care requirements. They are also fairly easy to breed.

Some people prefer a male canary as all males kept as a single bird can sing, even if they were bred for other characteristics. Some females will also sing, though their song is not as strong as the male. The Roller canary is considered the best singer. Many people like to show canaries.

Care and Feeding

Specialized pelleted diets are highly recommended and should consist of 60–70% of the diet; use fortified seeds in moderation as they are higher in fat and less nutritious than pellets. Assortment of soft foods such as shredded carrots, green leafy vegetables, and apple slices. Do not feed birds fruit seeds, avocados, chocolate, alcohol or caffeine as these can cause serious medical problems.

If your bird is used to a seed diet, convert to pellets gradually. Fresh pellets or seeds and fresh, clean, chlorine-free water should always be available. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be given daily; discard when not eaten within 24 hours; Macaws appreciate quality and variety in their food.

Birds acclimate well to average household temperatures; be cautious of extreme temperature change; cage should be placed off the floor in an area that is well-lit and away from drafts. A cage that is at least 14" W x 18" D, with metal bars spaced no greater than 3/8" apart, makes a good home for your canary; as with all animals, it is best to provide the largest habitat possible; a flight cage is strongly recommended.

Perches should be at least 3" long and 1/2" in diameter. A variety of perch sizes to exercise feet and help prevent arthritis is recommended. A metal grate over the droppings tray will keep the bird away from droppings; line the droppings tray with cage paper or appropriate substrate for easier cleaning. To avoid contamination, do not place food or water containers under perches.