Canary

Canaries are generally independent. Merck writes that canaries can be territorial and do best alone or as a mated pair; the Oregon Humane Society adds that most don't want to share a cage with another canary, but a single bird kept alone will be content with care and attention. Both Merck and the Oregon Humane Society say canaries and finches generally don't enjoy being held.

On song: most male canaries are "super singers" and females are quieter (Oregon Humane Society). A 1923 U.S. Department of Agriculture bulletin says that good singers were developed by breeding from males with good voices, and that young birds learn by imitating soft-voiced males. Adult birds usually go silent during the molt (Wetmore).

A canary isn't a bird that will become hand-tame; it's one you watch and listen to, and one whose cage and surroundings you enrich.

It suits people who want to listen to and watch their bird and don't expect lap-style contact. A careful air and cleaning routine is essential.

The wild canary lives in the Canary Islands (except Fuerteventura and Lanzarote), Madeira and the Azores. The 1923 USDA bulletin says the origin of the canary as a cage bird is "as obscure as the early history of other domesticated animals," that the first caged birds probably came from the Canary Islands, and that the island stock may not be the only ancestor of all of today's canaries. The canary has been considered domesticated for several centuries.

Today's pet canaries vary widely in color, plumage and song type; the wild type is grayer and streaked.

The Oregon Humane Society gives an average length of about 6 inches (15 cm). Pet canaries come in a range of yellows, oranges, whites and browns, with or without streaks. Ask the seller, or a bird vet, how to find out your bird's sex.

The 1923 USDA bulletin notes that wild canaries from the Canary Islands, the Azores and Madeira are slightly grayer than their close relatives on the European mainland, with less yellowish green above, a duller yellow rump and a distinctly larger bill. The bright yellow bird at home is the product of centuries of selection; the wild form is plainer and streaked.

• Daily tasks: The Oregon Humane Society recommends changing the cage-floor paper every day, washing the water bottle and bowl daily, and cleaning the whole cage with warm soapy water and disinfectant weekly.
• Bathing: A shallow dish or a spray; Wetmore also writes that captive canaries should be given the chance to bathe daily. See bird baths.
• Toys: Toys must not block flight (Oregon Humane); wooden chew toys work well.
• Air and temperature: A corner spot away from drafts and direct sun.
• Vet: The Oregon Humane Society recommends an annual check-up.

For more detail, see our canary care post.

According to the Oregon Humane Society, length matters more than height in a canary cage; it should be at least 18 inches wide, 18 inches deep and 24 inches tall (about 46 × 46 × 61 cm), and you should buy the largest you can afford. Bar spacing should be no more than half an inch (about 1.3 cm). RSPCA Australia says a cage should be wide enough to spread the wings and about two wingbeats long, and that birds need access to a flight aviary or regular safe flying opportunities.

• Perches: Several, at different heights, with one level with the food dishes (Oregon Humane).
• Floor: Plain paper or newspaper.
• Location: Off the floor, in a spot where the household is but away from the kitchen and drafts. See our cage placement guide.
• Living with other birds: Talk to a bird vet or an experienced breeder before housing several males together; RSPCA says compatible individuals should be housed together.

The Oregon Humane Society recommends keeping high-quality pellets made for the species available at all times, offering a seed mix for variety and giving fresh vegetables and fruit daily (dark leafy greens, carrots, broccoli, apples, pears, melon, kiwi). Avoid avocado, cherry pits, rhubarb, apple seeds and spoiled food.

Merck says diets based on seeds and nuts are low in vitamin A, calcium and many other nutrients and high in fat, and that birds pick out the tasty seeds and leave the pellets. According to Wetmore, too much hemp can fatten birds and make them lethargic enough to stop singing. Ask a bird vet for your bird's diet plan. See foods that are harmful to birds.

Birds hide illness; Merck notes that this makes signs hard to spot and that you need to know your bird's normal behavior. The information below is for general knowledge; see a vet who treats birds for diagnosis and treatment.

• Fume and gas poisoning: Overheated nonstick pans, some sprays and chemical fumes can be fatal to birds very quickly. The Oregon Humane Society stresses keeping the cage away from the kitchen, and Merck says to keep birds far from cooking areas and other fume sources.
• Psittacosis (chlamydia): Merck writes that some birds, including canaries, are less resistant to this infection than parrots and pigeons. It can spread through a bird's nasal discharge and droppings and can pass to people. Gloves, hand washing and daily disinfection are recommended when handling a sick bird. If you get flu-like symptoms, tell your doctor you keep birds.
• Feather and skin changes: If you see feather loss, crusting or constant scratching, have the bird checked by a vet.

The Oregon Humane Society recommends watching for these signs and an annual vet check.

Sources give different ranges: Merck says canaries can live up to 15 years, while the Oregon Humane Society gives an average of 8 to 12. With good care, many birds reach the upper part of that range; diet, air quality, cage space and regular checks matter most.

• Check rescue groups: Canaries turn up at rescues too.
• Check the seller: RSPCA Australia recommends sellers who share the bird's parentage, history and diet and offer a refund or replacement for health problems. Avoid crowded, dirty places that only offer dry seed.
• Vet check: Have your bird examined by a bird vet soon after purchase.
• No wild-caught birds: The canary is a captive-bred species. In Türkiye, Article 18 of the Land Hunting Law (No. 4915) restricts the sale and transport of wildlife taken against the rules, and catching and selling native wild birds (such as the goldfinch) is prohibited. Buy your canary from a seller whose breeding source is clear.
• For song: The Oregon Humane Society says most males sing; if you want a singer, ask the seller about the bird's sex.