All About Canaries

Domesticated since the 17th century, canaries have been a favorite of bird owners all over the world as loving companions. Canaries were originally caught in the wild because humans loved to hear the beautiful songs they sing. Man continued to selectively breed canaries over the years until they reached this evolutionary stage perfected into numerous arias.

Although yellow is the most popular, canaries do come in a variety of shapes and colors. They mostly have a cheerful and happy temperament, and while being extremely active, are also easy to take care of.

Unlike most household pets, canaries should not be left in the open. They are best served to reside in cages and should also have a constant source of food and water available. They are not as easily tamed as parakeets, but are somewhat tame able. They have not been known to mimic words or sounds.

Canaries are delicate due to their size, but are actually very durable. Due to their size, there is a somewhat fragile health element, and poor nutrition or an unclean cage could lead to severe health problems. Other things that could affect their health include:

lack of exercise - inconsistent lighting - fluctuating temperatures - constant loud noises

Before you bring your canary home, you should have its dwelling place and all accessories already set up. You should pick the largest cage you can afford to give the canary ample room to fly around and exercise. Make sure you the bar spacing is small enough that the canary cannot escape. Do not keep it confined to a small cage. This is extremely cruel treatment to any bird.

Cages made of brass or chrome are usually the preferred choice because they are easier to clean. If you do decide to use paint (which is highly unrecommended...the canary may nibble or eat at the paint and get sick) make sure it's lead free. Check with your store before you make a purchase for confirmation.

Do not purchase a bamboo or wooden cage. These are difficult to disinfect and will hold on to germs and could get infected with mite or other pests. These pests will usually look for a host to feed on and your canary will literally be a "sitting duck".

Also, as with most birds, canaries feel secure the higher they're perched. Try and place your cage at the highest elevations possible. Most owners will hang the cage from a floor stand, attach it to a wall bracket or hang the cage from the ceiling. It is also important to ensure you can easily reach the food and water containers.